Mumbai Indians (MI) had their worst-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) season this year and the Rohit Sharma-led side finished at the last spot with only 4 wins from 14 matches. The five-time IPL champions became the first team to crash out of the season after a string of defeats and could never bounce back.
While there were plenty of reasons behind MI’s struggling run in the season, Kieron Pollard’s below-par form added to the team’s woes. The star all-rounder only managed 144 runs in the season and was dropped from the playing XI towards the end of the season. MI had their hopes pinned on Pollard and had retained him for Rs 6 crore.
Since he was dropped from the playing XI, it remains to be seen if he remains in the team management’s plans next year or not. Analysing MI’s season, former India and Kolkata Knight Riders opener Aakash Chopra has made a bold prediction about Pollard’s IPL future. As per Chopra, Pollard might be released by MI.
“I think we have seen the last of Kieron Pollard. ₹6 crore will be released if they don’t retain him. I think they can let Murugan Ashwin (₹1.6 crore) go as well. I am not sure about Jaydev Unadkat (₹1.3 crore) but they can definitely say bye bye to Tymal Mills (₹1.5 crore),” the former cricketer said on his YouTube channel.
MI have always backed Pollard to the hilt and it will be interesting to see if gets another backing. If released, Pollard will be back in the auction. The former West Indies skipper recently announced his retirement from international cricket and it isn’t known if he will continue to play T20 league. A clear picture regarding Pollard’s playing career should be out by the start of the Caribbean Premier League 2022. If he is fit, MI will be boosted by Jofra Archer’s availability next year. The franchise spent a huge sum of Rs 8 crore on him.
