The IPL has just seen one of its longest and most special relationships coming to an end. With poor form in the last year, and some below average numbers around the World following IPL 2022, Mumbai Indians has released Kieron Pollard. Pollard though, instead of going into the auction has chosen to retire stating that he cannot play against the Mumbai Indians if such a scenario arrives.

He has been a crucial part of the franchise for the best part of a 13 years. After impressing in the Caribbean, Dwayne Bravo, who was with Mumbai Indians back in 2009, influenced the purchase of Kieron Pollard, by advertising him well with the franchise. The auction though saw a huge battle for him. Along with the Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders and rivals Chennai Super Kings bid hard on him. Eventually, Kieron Pollard became the first player to be bought by the silent tie-breaker rule.

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The faith on his selection paid off. Kieron Pollard quickly impressed with his explosiveness. He struck fear in oppositions in his first season. In his first IPL Final, against the Chennai Super Kings, Kieron Pollard walked out with a near impossible task ahead. However, Chennai Super Kings were not willing to relax, keeping in mind the Pollard factor. Pollard did not finish the game that day, but gave CSK scare as he created a lot of carnage in his brief stay.

He continued this journey with the Mumbai Indians as their finisher, bowler and star fielder. Throughout his journey, he put fear in many sides, with MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings being the top side on the list. He played a crucial role in their journey to the Finals in 2013, and walked in at 52 for 4 with the pressure on Mumbai. Pollard though, batted with maturity that evening, and made 60. He took his favorite team apart, winning the final over battle with Dwayne Bravo, taking him for two sixes of the final two balls.

Following his performance that season, Pollard became an automatic retention for Mumbai. He was retained ahead of the 2014 season, and started to take some leadership responsibilities, assisting Rohit Sharma. In 2015, Kieron Pollard was critical in the rise of Hardik Pandya. Often sharing finishing duties with him, both formed an unbreakable bond as Mumbai’s finishers.

He was around when Hardik Pandya made his first half-century in IPL and proved to be even more useful in that game. His versatility came into play as Kieron Pollard took the ball, defending 12 in the final over of a game against KKR. The moment is often forgotten but remains significant, as it proved his ability to be ready to involve himself at any stage of the game.

In 2017, Pollard helped play a part in the rise of another Pandya brother. Before the Pandya brothers, he had a similar bond in the middle order with Ambati Rayudu too. His numbers and contributions were always looking good, until he had his first major slump in 2018. 2018 was probably the first time Mumbai Indians dropped him mid-season. They crashed out early and Pollard’s form was a huge concern. They still stuck with him and he repaid the faith in 2019.

In 2019, he played some crucial roles again, enjoying his time against CSK in particular. He played a crucial knock once again in the IPL Finals, allowing Mumbai Indians to get enough to defend against Chennai Super Kings. In a fight for a fourth title, Mumbai Indians, thanks to some late blows from Pollard came out on top.

He was back at his best, and in 2020, his name struck more fear to the opponents. With Hardik Pandya not bowling, Pollard stepped up as an option. He was used at some crucial stages and enjoyed a good match-up with Ab De Villiers in particular. With the bat though, Kieron Pollard was at his most prominent. The line-up was full of hitters. There was Rohit Sharma, Quinton De Kock and Suryakumar Yadav to start with. Coming down, they had Ishan Kishan, the Pandya brothers and Kieron Pollard. It was an unrelenting line-up with six-hitters making their way one after the other. Each were in great form too, and Mumbai finished as Champions with ease.

The template was set, and they looked wonderful. IPL 2021 though turned out to be the start of theirs and Pollard’s downfall. He looked silent in the first half. Pollard though started showing signs of his former self. Facing Chennai Super Kings yet again, Mumbai had a huge task on hand. Pandya was not in great nick too and the responsibility was on Pollard. Pollard, against Dhoni’s men, delivered yet again, proving his love for the men in yellow.

The knock though did not change their fortunes as Mumbai struggled. Pollard was still retained for 2022, but their struggles continued to increase. Eventually, with Mumbai finishing last, and with Pollard going through his worst tournament, they have decided to move on from him. Mumbai though, do not like to severe ties easily. They love forming long-standing bonds, which is why Pollard is still a part of their team, although in a different role.

He is now the batting coach of the Mumbai Indians. While his IPL Career is over, and his years of terrorizing IPL sides (CSK specifically) are done, he now has a new role, which comes as no surprise.