MI vs CSK: 12 years after IPL 2010 final, Kieron Pollard falls into MS Dhoni's trap again

MI vs CSK: Kieron Pollard got out, caught at straightish long-on on Thursday, bringing back memories of a similar dismissal from IPL 2010 final when MS Dhoni maneuvered the field to trap the big-hitting West Indies batter.

It was the same DY Patil Stadium where Kieron Pollard fell into a trap set by MS Dhoni for the first time. In the 19th over of the IPL 2010 final, Dhoni had set a strange field as CSK were defending a total of 168 against a Mumbai Indians side led by Sachin Tendulkar.

All hopes were resting on Kieron Pollard after Mumbi Indians were reduced to 114/6 in the 17th over. However, big man from the West Indies who already had a growing reputation as a fearsome finisher was working his magic. He had raced to 27 in just 9 balls, giving Chennai Super Kings fans a worrying time.

MI vs CSK, IPL 2022: Highlights

Albie Morkel, one of Dhoni's trusted lieutenants, was entrusted with the job of bowling the all-important 19th over and that's when Dhoni got Matthew Hayden to mid-off position even as CSK had a long-on in place. Not many were able to understand why Dhoni had an extra fielder along with the 'V' but Pollard hit the ball straight to Hayden as MI's hopes ended.

"I thought if we don't take that, we are going to be in trouble. There was a little bit of dew around that night as well. So I certainly did feel the heat. My catch was much more stylish," Hayden recalled, speaking to Star Sports after Pollard fell into the Dhoni trap once again.

This time it was when Mumbai Indians were trying to put on a competitive total on the board after a top-order failure in Match 33 of IPL 2022, 12 years after the memorable final at the same venue.

Pollard was warming up to a big finish, having struck a six and a boundary in his first eight deliveries. And that's when Dhoni, who is no more the captain of CSK, manoeuvred the field, bringing a straight long-on fielder. Dhoni made sure Shivam Dube was almost standing in line with the stumps along the boundary when Maheesh Theekshana was bowling the 17th over.