'Synonym of loyalty' - Fans dejected as Kieron Pollard announces retirement from Mumbai ahead of Indian T20 League 2023

With the Indian T20 League franchises set to release the retention list on November 15, Tuesday, Kieron Pollard, the star of the Mumbai franchise, announced his retirement hours before the announcement of the list and said that he would take up the role of the batting coach of the franchise.

Further, the batter from the West Indies claimed that he would continue to take part in the upcoming UAE T20 League and said that he would play for the MI Emirates team. However, fans who took cognizance of the sudden statement from the allrounder, bid an emotional goodbye, although the Caribbean clarified that it will not be such a bad goodbye for him as he is all set to continue with the team, however, in a different capacity.

“It hasn’t been the easiest decision to make as I intend to keep playing for a few more years, but following discussions with the Mumbai team I have decided to call time on my Indian T20 League career. I understand that this incredible franchise which has achieved so much needs to transition and if I’m no longer to play for Mumbai then I cannot see myself playing against Mumbai either. ‘Once a Mumbai player, always a Mumbai player’” Pollard said in the statement.

💙 #OneFamily @mipaltan pic.twitter.com/4mDVKT3eu6

— Kieron Pollard (@KieronPollard55) November 15, 2022

I make this step with hope and excitement: Kieron Pollard

The aggressive batter from the Caribbean further expressed his gratitude to the franchise owners Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani and hoped for a greater future with the club and with the new role.

“I would like to say a special thank you to my friends and family especially my wife Jenna and my three beautiful children for all the love, support and the many sacrifices they made over the years and will continue to make to allow me to fulfil my childhood dream of playing cricket at the highest levels for such a long time,” Pollard said further in the statement.

“Today I make this step with hope and excitement towards the future knowing that I will be playing a role in an institution, whose values align so closely to mine, where ‘We are a family’” his statement read further.

Having gathered over 3400 runs in 171 innings at a strike rate of over 140, Pollard’s void in the Indian T20 league will be felt and the fans, on the other hand, will take time to accept the fact that the veteran will no longer take part for the incredible franchise.

As things stand, let us take a look at some of the Twitter reactions from fans to Pollard’s announcement:

We miss you pollard💔💔💔

— Manjunath gowda (@Im_manjuu)

We miss you pollard💔💔💔

— Manjunath gowda (@Im_manjuu) November 15, 2022

❤️ one of the best team player any team will dream to have with them🔥. You have been an amazing asset to MI and good luck for your upcoming career Polly ❤️❤️

— Mithunchandar.V (@VMithunchandar) November 15, 2022

Very Wrong Decision 💔

— Captain Arun (@CaptainArun3) November 15, 2022

All the best Pollard , you were the big man and the finisher for MI ever

— Ayush Prajapati (@im_ayush___) November 15, 2022

MI 's greatest player, and immense respect for you for not choosing other franchise in IPL, thank u Pollard for everything u have done for MI,

Now Rohit and Bumrah are the last ones standing.

— Sreerag Rajesh (@RajeshSreerag) November 15, 2022

@ImRo45 ye IPL nahi hai bhai vha pollard boult nahi milege winner bnane ke liy..khud ko run padte hai. Tough decisions lene padte hai. 💔

Is this New Era ?👎👎#INDvENG

— Coverdrive (@coverdrive28) November 10, 2022

Once an Mumbai Indians, Always an Mumbai Indians. Loyalty means Kieron Pollard 💙

— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) November 15, 2022

Too many nightmares due to POLLARD as an RCB Fan.

70 off 24 needed , I would do it

Team 8-4 , I will chase it

What a madman

— SG 👑 (@RCBSG30) November 15, 2022