In what comes as major news from the ongoing player retention and release by the IPL franchises, Mumbai Indians veteran player Kieron Pollard decided to hang up his boots in the IPL as a player. He was duly offered the role as a batting coach by the same franchise which he served for 13 years and he was obliged to take up the role!
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Pollard made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians during the year 2010 and has been since playing for the same franchise since then. He stacked up 3412 runs from his 189 IPL games while claiming 69 wickets and 103 catches during his illustrious career at the MI franchises.
The all-rounder is also the most successful player in the history of franchise-based cricket in India! Five IPL titles combined with two Champions League (now defunct) titles speak volumes about Mumbai Indians' legacy and Pollard is part of all those winning teams! What an achievement for a player! That is this bond that made him make the statement "Once an MI, Always an MI" while announcing his retirement as an IPL player!
Kieron Pollard's statement:
"It hasn’t been the easiest decision to make as I will keep playing for a few more years, but 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. I am immensely proud, honored, and blessed to have represented the biggest and most successful team in the IPL for the past 13 seasons," said Kieron Pollard in a statement released by Mumbai Indians.
"Most sincerely, I express my deep appreciation to Mukesh, Nita, and Akash Ambani for the tremendous love, support, and respect I have always felt and for the confidence they placed in me. I recall our first encounter when they welcomed me with open arms saying, "We are family". Those were not just mere words, but demonstrated by their every action throughout my time with Mumbai Indians," added the statement.
The all-rounder who already retired from playing Internationals for West Indies has currently stated that he will keep playing for a few more years to come. One can expect him to be part of the Caribbean Premier League while also as a player for MI Emirates.
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