Kieron Pollard has been an excellent asset for Mumbai Indians (MI) for over a decade but in IPL 2022, the all-rounder has struggled with the bat. One of the four players retained by the franchise before the mega auction in February this year, Pollard has managed just 144 runs in 11 matches averaging 14.4.
This is the only season since 2011 that the flamboyant all-rounder failed to score even a single half-century as a result of which he was dropped from the side's previous two matches against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
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However, the former West Indies cricketer was seen cheering for his teammates from the boundary during Mumbai’s match against SRH on Tuesday (May 17). One fan in the stands screamed a strong message for the big-hitting West Indies all-rounder as he watched the game from the sidelines.
"Polly, thank you for your contribution to Mumbai Indians. We love you," the fan screamed. In appreciation, Keiron turned his head around, glanced at the admirer, and gave him a thumbs up.
After skipper Rohit Sharma, the hard-hitting all-rounder is MI's second-highest run-scorer. He has been a part of MI's five title-winning teams since his debut in the IPL in 2010. He has amassed 3412 runs for the franchise at 28.67 apiece, striking 16 half-centuries with a best of an unbeaten 87 against the Delhi Capitals (DC) last season.
Pollard, the West Indies captain, announced his retirement from international cricket midway through the season, wanting to commit all of his attention and effort to franchise cricket, but he still couldn’t regain his form.
Former cricketer Ian Bishop feels Pollard should "reinvent" his game in order to remain effective in the future.
"Pollard himself has to reinvent his game, however, he chooses to do that, because he's still got a future ahead of him, we hope. People are saying he's washed, I'm not going to go there. I think he's a player who can reinvent himself," Bishop said on ESPNCricinfo's T20 Time Out.
(HT INPUTS)
