Kieron Pollard, the vice-captain of Mumbai Indians, was quick enough to respond to a question on whether Mumbai Indians was the best T20 franchise. He replied positively besides thanking all concerned with Mumbai Indians after they bagged their record 5th title after defeating Delhi in the final of IPL 2020.
MI registered a clinical 5-wicket win against Delhi Capitals to add another trophy – their 5th to their closet. The youngsters, coaching staff and the leadership group were elated to successfully defend the title after winning IPL in 2013,2015,2017,2019 and 2020. It turned out to be a terrific season under Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard’s captaincy which had a picture-perfect ending.
Kieron Pollard: Great Feeling To Be Associated With Mumbai Indians For 11 Years
After clinching a monumental fifth IPL title, Kieron Pollard was asked if MI had cemented their authority in IPL as the best T20 team. In reply, the Caribbean all-rounder was quick enough to justify why one ‘should say so’.
“Is Mumbai Indians the best T20 team going around globally?”
After thrashing DC, cricketer-turned-commentator Ian Bishop asked the question to Kieron Pollard and the all-rounder, who has been a part of several T20 teams across the globe responded.
He said: “It’s a great feeling. I’ve been here 11 years, fifth trophy. No one sees the planning and training, it’s pressure playing for a franchise like this.”
Rohit Sharma (Image Credit: IPL)
“With the number of trophies, the amount of work and the number of players that went on and played international cricket, play for India, play for their different respective countries, I think you will have to say so [that this is the best T20 franchise].”
Rohit Sharma now has captained Mumbai Indians in the most number of matches-113 out of which Mumbai won 66 while Kieron Pollard is their most capped player with 160 appearances. Mumbai Indians have played 201 matches out of which they have won 115.
Rohit Sharma has scored most runs while pacer Lasith Malinga, who opted out of IPL 2020 has the most wickets for Mumbai Indians. Rohit Sharma has played in exactly 200 matches after representing defunct Deccan Chargers in 2008 to 2010 following which he moved to Mumbai Indians in 2011. Kieron Pollard is in the team since 2010.
Kieron Pollard: Playing For A Big Franchise Like Mumbai Indians Puts Pressure On A Cricketer
Kieron Pollard agreed to the fact that playing for a big franchise like MI puts pressure on a cricketer. He also suggested one can get familiar with that situation taking it positively.
“It’s pressure, yes, to play for a big franchise like this, but you can only get better as an individual if you take everything on board, take it with a pinch of salt, and take it positively. The way we plan, each and every box is ticked in what we want to achieve as a team. The openers, middle-order batsmen, finishers, death bowlers… we have an abundance of them in our team,” said Pollard.
Trent Boult. Image Credit: IPL.
Kieron Pollard thanked the owners and the team management, which allows each and every player of the team irrespective of age and experience, to express themselves. He wished that the culture of the Mumbai Indians prevails in the forthcoming IPLs.
“Again, kudos must go to the ownership and the management staff and everybody for the work they do behind the scenes in order to the project this team into the international stage. Long may it continue for us,” he added.
Delhi Capitals posted 156/7 in 20 overs with Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant scoring fifties, but Mumbai Indians overhauled the target in the 19th over losing 5 wickets with Rohit Sharma scoring 65. Ishan Kishan scored an unbeaten 33. Earlier Trent Boult, pacer of MI picked 3 wickets conceding 30 runs in his quota of 4 overs.
