Even though he’s now coaching Mumbai Indians, every now and then, he reminds us why he was one of the most feared cricketers in T20 cricket
Okay, remember how we all believed Kieron Pollard was done with hitting sixes and winning games? Think again! The former West Indies and Mumbai Indians all-rounder recently turned back the clock during a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) match.
Kieron Pollard's blazing 19-ball 52* powered Trinbago Knight Riders to a thrilling 4-wicket win. #CPL2024 pic.twitter.com/IZJrHU2XFh
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) September 11, 2024
Pollard, captain of the Trinbago Knight Riders, scored a quickfire 52* off just 19 balls to complete a remarkable chase. It was the type of innings that shouted "vintage Pollard," and it left fans buzzing, especially those who still remember his days in Mumbai blue.
Here's the thing: he's supposed to be retired! But, after bludgeoning four huge sixes in a single over (more on that later), supporters are virtually asking the Mumbai Indians to bring him back. Can we blame them? The guy scored 27 runs in just 12 balls in the CPL game, finishing with five deliveries to spare. It was a déjà vu moment for everyone who recalls Pollard's heroics with the Mumbai Indians from 2010 to 2022.
Now, let's look at three of Pollard's best innings since becoming the Mumbai Indians' batting coach in 2022. Believe me, these innings will make you question whether this man would ever retire!
Picture this: Southern Brave chasing 127, with Pollard struggling at 6 off 14 balls. The game was slipping away. Wrong! Pollard flipped the contest over in an instant. Pollard smashed five consecutive sixes in one over against Rashid Khan, a world-class spinner. Yes, five in a row.
With the Braves still in need of runs, Pollard's innings of 45 from 23 balls included one of his famed late-game outbursts. It wasn't just about the sixes; it was how he completely changed the tide of a game that appeared lost. Sure, he was run out shortly after his power display, but the damage had already been done, and Southern Brave prevailed with one ball remaining (127/8).
Pollard may have been on the losing side here, but boy, did he put on a show! Playing for MI New York in Major League Cricket (MLC), Pollard scored 48 runs off 20 balls in a high-scoring game against the San Francisco Unicorns. Pollard didn't mind that the odds were stacked against him in this particular game.
Even though MI New York (193/5) lost by 22 runs, Pollard kept the fans on their feet. After the game, spectators chanted "Pollly! Pollly!" as he spent time signing autographs for his devoted followers. When you score over 50 runs off just 20 balls, even a defeat feels like a victory, right? It's just the Pollard effect!
Let's go ahead to the PSL 2024, where Pollard, playing for Karachi Kings, hit another game-changing knock. The Kings were in danger during their chase against Lahore Qalandars (175/6), but Pollard's savage 58 off 33 balls, studded with five massive sixes, turned the game around. The Qalandars had no response to Pollard's pounding.
However, this was about more than just Pollard's hitting. Earlier in the game, he made an incredible one-handed grab at the boundary to dismiss Jahandad Khan, reminding everyone that he's still got it, even at 36! And, when Shaheen Afridi ultimately removed him in the 16th over, Pollard had already put his team ahead. The Kings won by two wickets in a thrilling last-ball finish (176/8), and Pollard's heroics made it all possible.
Cricketers are said to develop, but Pollard appears to be ageless. He may be coaching right now, but what about his bat? It's still doing most of the talking.
 Happy B’day, Rashid Khan The Unmatched Records.webp)
