MI will play their first match of IPL 2021 on April 9 against RCB in Chennai.
With the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) just two days away, Mumbai Indians, like other franchises, have been keeping their fans regularly updated with the pictures and videos of their players, but MI hasn’t posted a single post about Kieron Pollard and his whereabouts so far.
There is no update about the West Indian all-rounder on the Mumbai Indians’ social media handles that raised questions about Pollard’s availability at the start of the IPL 2021 in India.
The defending champions are set to begin their IPL title defense against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the tournament opener on Friday (April 9) in Chennai.
However, it is being said that Pollard had already joined the MI camp in Chennai, after finishing his seven-day quarantine period, and is likely to feature in the IPL 14 opener against the RCB on Friday.
The source close to Pollard told ANI: “He left West Indies and joined the MI unit in Chennai. He has just finished his quarantine period as prescribed by the BCCI Standard Operating Procedure and that is why he wasn't seen around in MI training activities.”
The IPL SOP stated: “Players coming directly from the bubble created for India versus England series, may be permitted to join the franchise squad without serving the mandatory quarantine period, provided they satisfy the following criteria -- after the conclusion of India versus England series, the players are moved directly to the franchise team hotel either in the team bus or on a chartered flight.”
The BCCI had already made it clear that breach of any bio-secure environment protocols by franchise members or their families during IPL will be subject to disciplinary action by the Indian cricket board.
(With ANI Inputs)