“Once an MI, always an MI” wrote Kieron Pollard on his Indian Premier League (IPL) retirement note. Player loyalty in a league that allows roster renewal every four years is not easy to build and maintain. But the Pollard-Mumbai Indians association easily makes the list. The Trinidadian “wanted to continue playing for a few more years”, but after discussions with the franchise which is looking to rebuild the squad, he decided to call it a day.
“I can’t see myself playing against MI,” Pollard said in a statement on Tuesday. Joining the list of MI legends who have moved into managing the franchise, Pollard will be their new batting coach as he continues to play for them in the new UAE league scheduled to begin in January. “At @mipaltan there is never a goodbye, Polly,” tweeted Sachin Tendulkar.
Pollard’s last season for MI this year was not that memorable (144 runs, 11 matches), but that cannot tarnish the all-rounder’s enviable career record – 189 matches, 3412 runs, 147.32 SR. “You will have to get used to not being on the field with us, but I will enjoy our banter in the nets again. Congratulations on an outstanding career Polly and all the best for your new ranks,” Jasprit Bumrah posted.
“Since Season 3, we’ve shared joy, sweat and tears – those powerful emotions that create lifelong bonds on and off the court. He has played an important role in MI’s success and has been part of the winning team for our Champions League trophies and all 5 IPL wins,” said MI owner Nita Ambani.
When Pollard made his international debut in 2007, West Indies batting was best known for the genius of Brian Lara. Within two weeks of Pollard’s international debut, Lara exited the scene. The solidly built player also made a name for himself like his fellow Trinidadian but in the futures format.
The high points for Pollard, a two-time World Cup winner, wearing the MI jersey were when he enjoyed the tournament success five times. He was picked for an undisclosed sum through a draw in the auction for the 2010 season after four teams bid for him, impressed by his heroics playing for Trinidad and Tobago in the now defunct T20 Champions League in 2009.
Pollard found a real home in Mumbai and showed his range with match-turning innings, making improbable chases, taking gravity defying catches and keeping the ball with the ball thanks to his T20 brains. Wielding a bat that looked like a toothpick to the giant bowler, Pollard would hit straight sixes at will, forcing teams to bring tall, tall players into the field straight enough to attract the umpires’ attention. He would then gleefully lift the ball over their heads in the stands, often at the Wankhede Stadium which was packed to capacity to see ‘Polly’ shine.
Pollard endeared himself to the Mumbai crowds who stood by him through thick and thin. Even when his confrontation with Mitchell Starc resembled a pre-boxing showdown, they had his back, cracking jokes with the player.
Having sported ’20-20′ in his hair, turning down a national team contract to earn better remuneration in leagues around the world, Pollard could not please icons like West Indies icon Michael Holding. The fast bowling great once said “Pollard is not a cricketer in my opinion”.
But Pollard made it clear even years ago, when T20 was still loved and deplored in equal measure, that he was getting the call right. Pollard hasn’t played a single Test, but his 614 T20 matches for 30 teams over the years is proof enough of the direction cricket was taking in the Caribbean.
MI captain Rohit Sharma describes Pollard in a team video ‘Hulk, powerhouse, destroyer’. With devastating batting skills, mentoring a young Hardik Pandya and his innate understanding of T20, he became the greatest overseas player in the IPL.
