Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper, Rohit Sharma paid a heartfelt tribute to the illustrious career of Kieron Pollard after the West Indies great decided to retire from the Indian Premier League (IPL). Pollard took to social media to make the announcement, hours ahead of the IPL 2023 retention deadline, adding that he took the call after discussions with Mumbai over his role on the side.
Rohit Sharma posted a heartwarming message to Kieron Pollard on Instagram, saying the former West Indies skipper always played with a big heart. Pollard was among the 13 players who were released by MI on the retention deadline day on Tuesday, November 15. The legendary T20 all-rounder has retained INR 6 crore ahead of the mega auction in 2022 but he failed to deliver with both bat and ball, managing 144 runs in 11 matches at an average of less than 15 and a strike rate of 107.
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Pollard’s association with Mumbai Indians, however, will continue as the veteran all-rounder will be serving as the 5-time champions’ batting coach in IPL 2023 while also playing for MI Emirates in UAE’s ILT20.
“Big man, big impact and always played with heart. A true MI legend,” Rohit said in his message.
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Kieron Pollard said he would miss the buzz of the IPL as a player but added that he retires with a lot of pride and satisfaction. Pollard won as many as 5 IPL titles with MI and 2 Champions League T20 titles during his 12-year stay.
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In his message, Kieron Pollard wrote: “I am immensely proud, honored, 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 word 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.”
