Pollard, Simmons, Mumbai Indians win Indian Premier League

The Mumbai Indians overcame a terrible start to the 8th IPL season to finish with an exclamation on Sunday in Kolkata, as they won their 2nd IPL title in comprehensive fashion, defeating 6-time finalist Chennai Super Kings by 41 runs in the final.

Sent to bat, the Mumbai Indians recovered from the early loss of Parthiv Patel to crush 202 runs for five wickets off their 20-overs, thanks to West Indians Lendl Simmons at the top of the order with 68 runs (45 balls, 8x4s, 3x6s) and Kieron Pollard shoring up the innings with 36 (18 balls, 2x4s, 3x6s).

In between, skipper Rohit Sharma hit an important 50 off 26 balls and Ambati Rayudu contributed a pivotal 36 not out at the end. West Indians Dwayne Bravo took 2-36 and Dwayne Smith 1-17.

With a run rate of 10.10 runs per over, it was always a challenge for Chennai. This despite Dwayne Smith smashing 57 runs (48balls, 9x4s, 1x6), with only Suresh Raina, 28, contributing significantly beyond Smith, as Chennai was stifled fofr 161-8 off their 50 overs at 8.05 runs per over.

Fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan claimed 3-25, Lasith Malinga 2-25 and Harbhajan Singh 2-34.

West Indian and Jamaican Andre Russell was voted MVP for the 8th IPL season; Chris Gayle topped the six hitting table; and Dwayne Bravo was honoured for taking the catch of the season and being most entertaining.