Robin Singh defends move to hold back Pollard

The Indians bizarrely promoted Harbhajan Singh to number four, and by the time Pollard came out to bat, 55 were needed off 18 deliveries. The Trinidadian blasted 27 off 10 deliveries, but the Indians fell short by 22 runs in the title clash.

“We had our plans,” the former India all-rounder explained. “We sent Harbhajan to get about 10-15 in a few balls but unfortunately, that didn’t work out. We wanted to make sure the run rate wasn’t above ten.

“I don’t think we left it too late with Pollard. JP (Duminy) has also played some very positive innings. We wanted Pollard to face the fast bowlers in the end; we saw that he could have achieved what we wanted. Even in the semifinals, we had the same strategy, and it worked then.”

Robin added that the Indians had lost the match in the first ten overs of their chase, when they reached only 58 for one chasing 169 for victory. “We probably could have scored another 10-15 runs more. You know if you don’t get seven an over in the first ten overs when you are chasing 160-170, the run rate begins to climb quite fast,” he pointed out. “We were hoping to keep the run chase down to ten an over in the last five overs with five or six wickets in hand. Unfortunately, it went to more than ten. We probably lost the game in the first ten overs.”

Robin also rued the two dropped chances – on 13 and 28 – which allowed Suresh Raina to score a man-of-the-match-winning 57 not out.

“The bowling was very good but we dropped a couple of catches and the next two overs went for 30 runs. Had those catches been taken, Chennai would have got maximum 140, their batting is not very deep. But unfortunately, if you don’t take your catches, it will cost you the game.”