Former West Indies captain and Mumbai Indians’ legend Kieron Pollard has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) ahead of the IPL 2023 season. Pollard was bought by the Mukesh Ambani-owned franchise in 2010 for an undisclosed sum via the tie-breaker rule.
Pollard is part of a small set of players who have played for only one franchise over their entire IPL careers.
Kieron Pollard was retained by Mumbai Indians for Rs 6 crore ahead of IPL 2022 but the senior all-rounder, who retired from international cricket, failed to fire for the most successful team earlier this year. Pollard managed just 144 runs in 11 matches at an average of less than 15 and a strike rate of 107 as MI failed to qualify for the playoffs.
The burly Trinidadian has played 189 matches scoring 3412 runs with 16 fifties at an average of 28.67 and strike rate of 147.32 and the best score of 87*. He hit 223 sixes and 218 fours. He also picked 69 wickets with his medium-pace bowling and captained MI a handful of times.
However, Pollard’s performance went down the last season in IPL 2022 and he was benched for the last few matches as well, as MI finished in the 10th spot in the points table.
Pat Cummins pulls out of IPL 2023 to prioritize international cricket for Australia
While there were rumors of Kieron Pollard being released from MI, the cricketer himself announced his retirement from IPL, but also mentioned that he will continue to be a part of the franchise as their batting coach.
“It hasn't been the easiest decision to make as I intend to keep playing for a few more years, but following discussions with Mumbai Indians, I have decided to call time on my IPL career. I understand that this incredible franchise which has achieved so much needs to transition and if I'm no longer to play for MI then I cannot see myself playing against MI either. 'Once an MI always an MI'.
This is not an emotional goodbye to MI however as I have agreed to take up the role of batting coach in the IPL as well as play with MI Emirates. This next chapter of my career is genuinely exciting and allows me to transition myself too from playing to coaching,” Pollard posted a statement on his Twitter.
The Mumbai Indians also paid tribute to Kieron Pollard’s services while stressing on the fact that Pollard has won both IPL and Champions League with the MI franchise.
