Over the last decade, Kieron Pollard has become a household name among Mumbai Indians’ fans. His exploits with the bat, time and again, have left many speechless. The all-rounder has created a rich legacy in the MI colours. 

Being one of the only two batsmen with more than 10,000 runs in T20 cricket, Pollard has proved to be an incredible asset for Mumbai Indians in the shortest format. It is an extraordinary feat, especially for someone who has batted in the lower order throughout his career.

In an interview with Cricbuzz, Pollard spoke in detail about his journey with Mumbai Indians, bond with the Pandya brothers and his great record against CSK. Here are some of the excerpts.

Mumbai Indians hold a special place in my heart

It all started in 2009 when Dwayne Bravo recommended Pollard as his replacement in Mumbai Indians after getting injured. However, a hamstring injury delayed his IPL ambitions. Later in the Champions League T20, Pollard stood out with a scoring rate of 197.29, which subsequently led to many other IPL franchises showing interest in buying him.

“I remember that phone call when Bravo, speaking on MI’s behalf, asked me to come and replace him in MI. I was excited and looking forward to it, but I got a hamstring injury at that point of time representing the West Indies. The physio said I won't be able to recover in time, so Dwayne Smith got the opportunity. But I always believe that everything happens at the right time. When we (Trinidad & Tobago) went to Champions League T20 in 2009, we lost in the finals, but it was a start for me; Kieron Pollard was born on the international stage there.”

Pollard was bought by Mumbai Indians for $750,000 in the IPL Auction. The all-rounder admitted that the huge amount came with a sense of pressure, but the MI management created a supportive environment for him. He settled into the lower order and finished games consistently and there’s no looking back ever since. Pollard was filled with gratitude for the owners who persisted and showed faith in him.

“I already had a contract with the Mumbai Indians before we won. Little did I know that a couple of months later, all the franchisees wanted a piece of Kieron Pollard. So, I went to the auction and MI bought me there. I was one of the top buys and with it came pressure. However, with everyone around backing me, I just enjoyed the atmosphere and glamour of the IPL. Mumbai Indians have stood by me in my good and bad times and I am grateful to the Ambani family for the opportunity. As I always say, Mumbai Indians hold a special place in my heart. I am sure they are happy to have me there as well.”

When the team is against the wall, I enjoy the pressure

A match-winner is always born in tough situations and Pollard continues to set high standards in this aspect. He relishes batting under pressure and in challenging situations, which he believes brings out the best in him. Talking about his performance in big games like the IPL finals in 2013 and 2019 or during crunch situations, he has always held his hand up.

“When the team is down in any sport, you can only be the hero in the end. More often than not, when the team is against the wall, I enjoy the pressure. No one remembers a simple cameo. You remember the finals, you remember the times when the team is in trouble, and I enjoy performing there. There's no better way to prove yourself than (in) those tough situations, especially in the finals. When you get to the final, you don't want all your hard work to go to waste. If there is one day when you want to bring your A game, it is in the final.”

The Pandya brothers are like a family

His proximity with the Pandya brothers transcends beyond the cricketing field. Pollard mentioned how all of them share similar sentiments not only when it comes to power-hitting but also with their personal experiences. 

“When you listen to them speak about their love for cricket, their observations and childhood stories, it sort of just touches something inside me because we have similar stories. With the potential that both possess, you want them to excel each and every time. Many times, we stay up till 3-4 at night talking and sharing our experiences and how to improve our game. That bond has just grown over the years and now the Pandya brothers are like a family.”

Hardik has often mentioned Pollard as his source of inspiration on numerous occasions. Both have been consistently handling the finishing conundrum together for MI in the past few years. Pollard’s experience has certainly rubbed off on Hardik who has raised his game to a different level.

“When Hardik came into the scene in 2015, he was young and energetic. We got a bit closer when his brother joined us next season. I hope I have played a role in mentoring Hardik Pandya. When you see a talented individual like that, they do things on a cricket field that people don't expect. You want to guide them but also let them keep that youthful exuberance and flair. We always, as individuals, try to just put the big stick down but sometimes all that's needed is just a bit of love and understanding.”

When it came down to 75 from 30-odd balls, I thought that was manageable

Pollard has a stupendous record against the Chennai Super Kings. He described that facing off against the big players drives him to succeed even more. One of the prime examples was his exhilarating knock of 84 (37) earlier this season, where he took MI to victory out of nowhere.

“When it comes to big games and big moments, that's when you want to stand up and perform. My record against CSK is no secret. I am coming up against world-class players like MS Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo, Shane Watson, etc. You just want to get the better of them. It's considered as El Clasico of the IPL. That day in all honesty, we wanted to win that match against CSK. For 5-6 games, they had been bowling well. Now was our opportunity to prove our worth in that match.”

Just a few months ago, Kieron’s innings of 60* (24) helped MI tie the game against RCB after being in an improbable situation. This time, he ensured he took the team across the finishing line. Pollard asserted that he gained confidence from the RCB game and planned accordingly.

“It was a calculative approach against CSK, just like the game against RCB in Dubai, some months back. It was about picking and choosing the bowlers I want to go after. I had to maximize one over of spin and that's where I took off from. Krunal was hitting the odd boundaries. When it came down to 75 from 30-odd balls, I said okay, that's manageable. You just know you need two big overs from there and you're right on it.”

I would love to just play and finish for Mumbai Indians

With more than a decade of experience in the MI Blue and Gold, Pollard expressed his wish to be a part of the franchise till the end. Over the years, the all-rounder has played some terrific knocks with the bat, picked important wickets and has also been a superb athlete on the field.

“I don't know what the future holds. I would love to just play and finish for Mumbai Indians. Hopefully, I can continue to do enough. When the time comes, I want to only put on a Mumbai Indians t-shirt. It has been fantastic spending 11-12 years with Mumbai Indians. The loyalty and respect shown by everyone in the franchise has been remarkable.”

As Dwayne Bravo said, it’s hard to imagine Mumbai Indians without Pollard.