Pollard speaks on being the most sought-after cricketer in the world, his goals and a lot more...

Hailing from Trindad and Tobago, Kieron Pollard has emerged as the face of contemporary Twenty20 cricket. In the new age of lucrative T20 league cricket, he has scaled heights that few international players have. Having been secured by Somerset, T & T, South Australia and Mumbai Indians, Pollard has established that it isn’t principally necessary to be a national hero to make an impact. The 22-year old was bought after a “silent tie-breaker” during the IPL players’ auction earlier this year.

Having fallen out of the national selectors’ radar, Delhi’s Ashish Nehra found a new lease of life thanks to the IPL. As it stands, the left-arm seamer is back in the Indian squad and bowling better than ever. It proved, to some extent, that the high standard of cricket in IPL goes a long way in helping players gain or regain their poise. Pollard now embarks upon that very IPL journey

One of the highlights of Pollard’s short career was during the Champions League in India last year during a match against New South Wales in Hyderabad. His 18-ball knock of 54 wooed not only the fortunate few in Hyderabad that night, but also his new captain Sachin Tendulkar, who was quick to give his consent to the team management, to go after the explosive batsman during the auction.

Here are excerpts from an exclusive chat with Kieron Pollard:-

You’re just 22, have played roughly 15 one-day internationals. How does it feel to be the most sought-after cricketer in the world?

It feels really good to get noticed and rewarded. I am very pleased to have got such a response during the IPL auction. I just want to try and perform to the best of my ability and contribute to the success of Mumbai Indians this season. I am grateful to the franchise for trusting in my ability and giving me such a huge opportunity. I want to try and make full use of this moment.

Every team and league in the world wants to have you. New South Wales approached you right after your smashing knock at Hyderabad. You are on high demand. How are people back home in Trinidad and Tobago reacting to your Twenty20 success?

People back home are really happy for me. I constantly receive phone calls and messages of congratulations and good wishes. I have a lot of well wishers back home and that really motivates me to excel in my game and perform to the best of my ability. There is a huge fan following of the IPL and Twenty20 cricket in the Caribbean, especially in Trinidad. There’s also a rich history of cricket in the Caribbean and people there understand and love the game.

How are you dealing with so much success and approbation? There have been lots of Australians praising your efforts at the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash.

Right now, I have both my feet on the ground. I just want to go out there and enjoy the game. I don’t want to think too ahead. I am just taking it season by season and game by game for the moment. The quality of cricket in the Big Bash was really top class, I enjoyed my time there.

Have you tried to mould yourself as a ‘Twenty20 specialist’? If yes, what is the reason you have excelled so prolifically in this version of cricket?

I have adapted and understood the format really well. It is obviously an extremely fast and challenging game. You have to be at the top of your game, both mentally and physically at all times. Your skills are constantly challenged and put to the test. There are people who are capable of hitting the ball out of the ground with lots of ease. There are also the types of players who can play according to the situation and win games. You have to strike a balance.

You must be quite kicked to play alongside Sachin Tendulkar...

Most definitely, I have grown up watching him bat. I am really excited to be a part of the same team. I also heard that he wanted me to be a part of this side. I am also excited to play with some of the other international players in the side such as fellow Trinidadian Dwayne Bravo, Sanath Jayasuriya, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh.

What are you looking to take back from the IPL on a personal level? Any goals?

I have set some personal goals but my biggest challenge is to play according to the situation of the game and try to win games for the Mumbai Indians. I feel that playing alongside some of these great players will help me enhance some of my skills. I want to constantly improve as a cricketer and IPL presents a wonderful opportunity to do just that.

You have played in various Twenty20 leagues around the world and have watched IPL on TV. How would you rate the quality of cricket in the IPL when compared to the other leagues?

The standard of cricket in the IPL is as good as if not even better than international cricket. The competition levels are really high and most good players raise their level when they play here. The Twenty20 bash in Australia has also seen some top quality cricket in recent years.

Have you had the opportunity to meet the owners of the Mumbai Indians?

I have not met them in person yet but I have spoken to Mrs. Nita Ambani over the phone. I will get to meet them when I come there next month. I am quite excited to meet the team and owners.