Mumbai Indians legend Kieron Pollard announces IPL retirement

Kieron Pollard has called time on his Indian Premier League (IPL) career after playing for Mumbai Indians (MI) for 13 years.

MI released Pollard ahead of the IPL 2023 and the former West Indies all-rounder took to social media on Tuesday to announce his decision. He also revealed that he would taking up the role of batting coach in the ILT20 franchise MI Emirates, a UAE T20 franchise owned by the Ambanis.

"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 I have decided to call time on my IPL career. 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'.

"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 next chapter of my career is genuinely exciting and allows me to transition myself too from playing to coaching. I am immensely proud, honoured and blessed to have represented the biggest and most successful team in the IPL for the past 13 seasons," wrote Pollard in an official statement.

Pollard went on to add that although he would miss the "buzz of the IPL you get as a player," he was satisfied by knowing that he had been fortunate enough to have played with some of the best players in the world in front of "our passionate fans."

"It was always an aspiration to play for this fantastic team. 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. 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 would not have achieved the success over the years without their continuing hard work dedication and commitment to creating the best environment and I look forward to emulating their successful approach," added Pollard.

The 35-year-old player also made a special mention to his good friend Robin Singh for his "sound advice and guidance over the years.

"In particular I would like to pay special tribute to my good friend Robin Singh for his sound advice and guidance over the years and whose very shoes I now fill. Most sincerely, I express my deep appreciation to Mukesh, Nita and Akash Ambani for their tremendous love, support and respect I have always felt and for the confidence they placed in me. I recall our first encounter when they welcomed me with open arms saying. "We are family". Those were not just mere words, but demonstrated by their every action throughout my time with Mumbai Indians.

"Lastly, 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 have 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. Today 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 family'," concluded Pollard.

Pollard, who made his IPL debut in 2010, has ended his IPL career with 3,412 runs in 189 games at an average of 28.67 and strike-rate of 147.32. He recorded 16 half-centuries, while with the ball, he picked up 69 wickets, including a four-wicket haul.

Pollard ended his career with MI as their second-leading run-scorer with 3,915 runs in all competitions. He also struck most sixes for the franchise – 258, out of which 223 came in the IPL.

One of the most destructive batters in the world, Pollard has played in various T20 leagues across the globe and is the second-leading scorer in the T20s after his compatriot Chris Gayle. Pollard has accumulated 11,915 runs in 614 T20s in his 16-year-old career in the shortest format. The former MI all-rounder has 56 fifties and a century to his name in T20s.