MUMBAI, India (CMC) — Struggling West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard got his first score of worth in the Indian Premier League, when he produced a devastating middle-order cameo to help fire his Mumbai Indians to a 39-run win over Delhi Daredevils yesterday.

The right-handed Pollard smashed five sixes and two fours in an amazing, unbeaten 45 from just 13 balls as Mumbai tallied 183 for four from their allotted 20 overs, batting first at Brabourne Stadium after winning the toss.

He later returned with his gentle medium pace to send down four stingy overs that cost just 15 runs to help restrict Delhi to 144 for seven.

Pollard, the league’s most expensive signing this year, was also dazzling in the field. It was his pin-point return that accounted for the run out of dangerous opener Virender Sehwag and he also ran out England Paul Collingwood off his own bowling as Delhi slipped to defeat.

Pollard’s form will be encouraging for West Indies especially with the World Twenty20 Championship set to bowl off later this month in the Caribbean.

Previously, Pollard’s highest score in the competition had been 25 against Rajasthan Royals last Sunday.

Entering at 133 for four at the end of the 17th over after Saurabh Tiwary (38) and Sachin Tendulkar (30) had set Mumbai on their way, Pollard gave a timely reminder of his explosive ability.

He dominated a 50-run, unbroken fifth wicket stand off 18 balls with South Africa JP Duminy (21), hitting the ball to every part of the ground.

Pollard started with a series of streaky strokes — a leading edge for two off the first ball, an edge for four past the wicketkeeper and then a mis-hit over long-off for six — but then launched a clinical attack on Delhi’s bowlers to rally Mumbai.

In reply, Delhi were making a fist of it at 72 for two in the seventh over before losing five quick wickets for 22 runs in the space of 32 balls, to lose momentum.

Pollard earned Man-of-the-Match honours for his efforts.