Know Your Player – Kieron Pollard

Cricketing milestones, rise through the ranks, trials and tribulations and their glamorous lifestyles – we cover it all in ‘Know Your Player’, a brand-new section aimed at keeping you updated with everything you need to know! In this edition, we take a look at the T20 cricket legend, Kieron Pollard. Keep watching this space for a new superstar every time!

The Rise

Tall and well-built, Pollard was a prominent all-rounder in progress in his early years. He represented West Indies in the 2006 U-19 World Cup but failed to impress. In the coming years, his T20 performances brought him back on the international radar. The biggest turning point in his career proved to be his knock of 54(18) in the 2009 Champions league T20 while playing for Trinidad and Tobago. This incredible innings saw him getting selected for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and since then, the two have not parted ways.

IPL exploits

A veteran cricketer for Mumbai Indians, Pollard has stuck with the side through thick and thin. The owners have formed a strong bond with the West Indian all-rounder and it is no surprise that Pollard has played for only one franchise in his IPL career.

Over the years, Pollard has established himself as the saviour for MI. The hard-hitting batsman is capable of pulling of chases that are all but hopeless. He is also an exceptional fielder in the deep and nothing can go past him. With more than 3000 runs in 171 matches in his kitty along with 63 wickets, Pollard has proved to be a strong pillar for MI. His innings of 87 not out from 34 balls against CSK in IPL 2021 remains one of the finest tournament’s history.

The Comeback

Wanting to maximise his earning opportunities, Pollard turned down West Indies’ central contract to become a T20 freelancer. Thus his national appearances dwindled. However, in 2019, West Indies named him as their ODI and T20I captain. During this reign, he also became the first cricketer to play 500 T20 matches.

Off The Field

 

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Thank you everyone for all the kind wishes and greetings … won’t be able to respond to everyone but yesterday was made enjoyable .!! First bday home in 10years, thank to the almighty for another year and many more … to @jenna_pollard , family and friends thank you again. Blessed and thankful????. Appreciation to the fullest???

A post shared by Kieron Pollard (@kieron.pollard55) on May 13, 2020 at 7:18am PDT

Pollard’s association with Mumbai Indians and the Indian diaspora has been much more intimate than his Caribbean fans as a virtue of his long reign in the IPL. While he is a firebrand on the field, he manages to stay the opposite off the field. Living his quiet life, Pollard is rarely found making waves on social media. Apart from his heated interaction with Sanjay Manjrekar, Pollard’s off the field demeanour has been joyful.