One of essentially the most achieved names in T20 cricket, Kieron Pollard, on Tuesday referred to as time on his Indian Premier League taking part in profession after 13 seasons with league giants Mumbai Indians.
The 35-year-old wished to hold on taking part in for just a few extra years however determined to retire from IPL after dialogue with the five-time champions.
Pollard, who has 3,412 IPL runs in 189 matches, had made his MI debut again in 2010. However, his robust affiliation with the franchise stays as he would be the workforce’s new batting coach.
“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 have decided to call time on my IPL career,” said Pollard in a statement.
“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”.
Pollard, nonetheless, will likely be taking part in for MI-owned franchise within the inaugural International League T20 within the United Arab Emirates.
“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 subsequent chapter of my profession is genuinely thrilling and permits me to transition myself too from taking part in to teaching. I’m immensely proud, honoured and blessed to have represented the largest and most profitable workforce within the IPL for the previous 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.”
Besides 5 IPL titles, Pollard additionally helped MI win two Champions League titles in 2011 and 2013. At MI, he’ll exchange Robin Singh as batting coach.
“I must give big thanks to the Coaches, Managers and other backroom support staff we have had at Mumbai Indians and who I now join.
“We wouldn’t have achieved the success through the years with out their persevering with arduous work, dedication and dedication to creating the very best atmosphere and stay up for emulating their profitable strategy.”
“In specific I want to pay particular tribute to my good buddy Robin Singh for his sound recommendation and steerage through the years and whose very footwear I now fill,” said Pollard, who also thanked the Ambani family for their tremendous “love, help and respect”.
“Today I make this step with hope and pleasure in direction of the longer term figuring out that I will likely be taking part in a job in an establishment, whose values align so carefully to mine, the place ‘We are household’,” added Pollard.
The other IPL stars who have represented one franchise include Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Sunil Narine and Lasith Malinga.
As MI finished last earlier this year, it became clear that the most successful IPL franchise needed a change in direction.
Pollard too had an ordinary season, managing 144 runs in 11 games.
Source: www.thehindu.com