Kieron Pollard announces IPL retirement, appointed as MI's batting coach

Mumbai: Kieron Pollard, one of the pillars of Mumbai Indians, announced his retirement from playing Indian Premier League (IPL) after playing for MI for 13 seasons.Pollard will continue with the Mumbai Indians in his new role as batting coach, the franchise said on Tuesday.

"Pollard is and will continue to always be at #MIForever and will use his decades of experience and skill to strengthen Mumbai Indians as a batting coach and as a player with MI Emirates," MI said in statement.

Taking to Twitter Pollard said: "It hasn't been the easiest decision to make as I intend to keep playing for a few more years, but following discussions with Mumbai Indians I have decided to call time on my IPL career. 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'.

This is not an emotional goodbye to MI however as I have agreed to take up the role of batting coach in the IPL as well as play with MI Emirates. This next chapter of my career is genuinely exciting and allows me to transition myself too from playing to coaching.

I am immensely proud, honoured and blessed to have represented the biggest and most successful team in the IPL for the past 13 seasons. It was always an aspiration to play for this fantastic team and although I will miss the buzz of the IPL you get as a player, I take comfort in knowing that I have been fortunate enough to have played with some of the best players in the world in front of our passionate fans.

"I have always felt and appreciated their unconditional support both on and off the field. Together, we won the Champions League in 2011 and 2013 and the IPL in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020.

"Today I make this step with hope and excitement towards the future knowing that I will be playing a role in an institution, whose values align so closely to mine, where "We are family"

Pollard made his debut for Mumbai Indians in 2010 and since then has been one of the key figures in the dressing room and on the field. He played 211 games (IPL + CLT20), scoring 3915 runs, at a strike rate of 147 and despite playing in the middle order, is currently 18th on the list of IPL’s highest run getters with 3412 runs.

His bowling prowess was time and again called upon, bringing to the game, a sense of control, scalping 79 wickets, with 69 of those in the IPL, making him an all-rounder for youngsters to aspire to be.

With 103 catches in the IPL, he has been a match winner, game changer, big moment player, an able deputy and stepping up to captain at times, contributing with his sharp fielding and his stride to the middle.(UNI)