The inseparable love affair between Kieron Pollard and Mumbai Indians is for everyone to see. Mumbai Indians without Kieron Pollard is simply unimaginable but what transpired the MI team owners and the management to pick Pollard in the squad? He has been a stalwart for the five-time champions and has been part of the triumphant campaigns on all five occasions. He has been a phoenix for the most successful team in the competition and has played an instrumental role in their rise to the top.
As the mighty fellow turned 34, Harsha Bhogle conducted a video session with Dwayne Bravo for Cricbuzz, where the all-rounder revealed how he persisted the Mumbai Indians to pick Pollard in 2010 Auctions. Bravo was part of the Mumbai Indians set-up and had insisted them pick the hard-hitting Pollard and the rest as they say is history. During the conversation, Bravo also recalled the fact that how MI owner Nita Ambani always thank him for his contribution in bringing Pollard to the Paltans squad.
“For me whenever I see talent, I know talent and you know (sighs) Pollard, the first time I asked when Mumbai needed a replacement for me I suggested Pollard’s name. I also recommended Dwayne Smith and that’s how got into the squad. He was my replacement. The following year when there was the Champions League in Hyderabad, I called Rahul and said come and sign Pollard. Rahul and Robin Singh, from Delhi and Mumbai.
Bravo recalled the fact that how he had called Pollard to the lobby. Not all cricketers can afford to leave a life of an Indian cricketer. So for a young 19-year-old guy to get a huge contract coming from Trinidad, it was indeed a big thing. Ever since his introduction to IPL, Pollard has never been released by the Mumbai Indians.
“The contract was around 200 USD and I called Pollard in the lobby. He saw the contract, 200 USD, for us coming from Trinidad, 19 year old getting these big amount is wowww, he said Dwayne are you serious, I said yes. They gonna sign you for now. And in that Champions League Pollard had a sensational time. Everyone wanted to know that who was the new kid in the block?” Bravo quipped.
“When the scouts came around and Mumbai already signed him, I think it was forced to go into a mini-auction and IPL had set that no franchise can go more than 750 or something to get him. Mumbai bid for them and got him and now see Mumbai are inseparable without Pollard,” Bravo added.
Bravo also recalled the fact that how Pollard started to get affected when he was getting picked in favour Bravo. However, he gave him signs of encouragement and told him to justify his decision to back Pollard. He also expressed his happiness at the fact that the dynamic powerhouse is one of the best.
“We started playing together in the team and then I started getting dropped and he started getting picked. It affected him so I told him don't worry, as long as you perform then I can justify my decision that I backed you,” Bravo said.
“I am very happy that this guy is one of the best going around. Mrs Ambani still thanks me for Pollard, thankyou thankyou because of you we got Pollard and all those things. And our friendship also developed from there,” the all-rounder signed off.