Mumbai Indians are more or less out of the IPL 2024 playoffs race, having lost 8 of their 12 matches.
Addressing the media after MI’s convincing win over SRH at the Wankhede Stadium, Pollard said he was not aware of any discussion about resting Bumrah ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
While the ongoing IPL season culminates on May 26, the T20 World Cup 2024 is slated to get underway on June 1 in the USA and West Indies.
Mumbai Indians are more or less out of the IPL 2024 playoffs race, having lost eight of their 12 matches. They need to win their remaining two fixtures and depend on the result of other teams to make it to the final-four stage.
"I certainly haven't had any discussions about that," Pollard told reporters when asked if there are any plans to rest Bumrah from MI's last two games keeping in mind the upcoming T20 World Cup.
"I don't think that's my role and function at this point in time. But let's see what happens. We are all here to play an entire IPL. Sometimes when we think too far ahead of different things, thinking about World Cups, all these things could affect performances even from before the team was selected," he further added.
Pollard said that the primary focus in the MI camp is to finish off the IPL on a high.
"For us and in our camp, the most important thing is finishing off the IPL and let's see what happens after that. When he leaves the IPL and he goes into the Indian team, I think that's where that concession will take place," he remarked.
Earlier this year, Australian legend Glenn McGrath said that Jasprit Bumrah needs an 'off-season' since his unorthodox bowling action could result in another fresh injury.
It is pertinent to mention here that Bumrah had an extended lay-off from the game after going through a back surgery in March 2023. He returned to action in August last year and has been playing regularly since then.