IPL 2020: Kieron Pollard's early form is good news for Mumbai Indians: Zaheer Khan

Abu Dhabi, October 2: Mumbai Indians bowling mentor Zaheer Khan says all-rounder Kieron Pollard's terrific form with the bat so early in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) is a "great sign" for the team.

Pollard, who is known for big-hitting, has shown fine form with bat in the last two matches, smashing an unbeaten 60 off 24 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore before producing an unbeaten 47 off 20 balls against Kings XI Punjab on Thursday (October 1).

The West Indian along with Hardik Pandya clobbered KXIP bowlers in the last three overs for a match-turning partnership of 67 runs from 23 balls and the very fact that Pollard found form since August's CPL carrying it into the IPL has thrilled Zaheer.

"It is great to have the big man in such form since tournament in Caribbean (CPL) and he is continuing with that form, which is very important and we are always banking on him," Zaheer said in a flash interview posted on MI twitter handle.

IPL 2020: Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya clobber Kings XI Punjab bowlers for match-turning partnership

"Pollard, when he comes to the party early, it's always a great sign for us," Zaheer added.

The former India pace spearhead is happy how the team has shaped up in the four games so far, winning two convincingly and losing two close encounters, one to RCB in Super Over and other against Chennai Super Kings in the final over of the match.

"All in all, we are very happy as how things are shaping up for us and we would be continuing with the process going ahead in the tournament. We have been playing good cricket. Our preparations have been fantastic and we have been motivating our troops in that regard," Zaheer said.

What has impressed him most is how the players irrespective of their stature have absorbed the pressure in various situations.

"Everyone has absorbed pressure very well - be it bowling or batting. Rohit (Sharma) and Ishan (Kishan) took their time, conditions were not easy (yesterday)," he said referring to skipper and Jharkhand dasher's 62-run stand. He also praised the extensive homework done by MI fast bowling coach Shane Bond, who had laid elaborate plans for the bowlers to execute.

How Mumbai Indians built their team strategy around Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Chahar explains

"Shane Bond works very hard so that all the bowlers are updated with the plans, good to have experienced pace battery (Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah) we have."

Left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya and leg spinner Rahul Chahar's superb bowling in the middle overs also received special mention. The duo between them bowled eight overs for only 53 runs taking three wickets - KL Rahul, Karun Nair and Glenn Maxwell.

"It was important for someone like Rahul Chahar and Krunal to get that confidence and time in the middle."

Zaheer and co will hope Mumbai carry the winning mometum into their next match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday (October 4) in Sharjah.