In what came as a real surprise for some people yesterday was that Mumbai Indians announced the West Indies captain Kieron Pollard as their 4th retained player and signed him at a salary of just 6 crore INR. Given the kind of success Pollard has enjoyed in the IPL in the last 3 years, one would have imagined that he might have gone for a much higher amount in the mega auction.
It was always on the cards that Kieron Pollard would be one of the players that Mumbai Indians would retain, but he was expected to be either the second or the third retained player, as the salary that would have been offered for the fourth spot was considered low for a player of his calibre. But, Mumbai was able to convince Pollard for the fourth spot.
After the retention, Mumbai Indians fans had words of high praise for Pollard who has been there with the team for more than a decade now and whenever the team has won the title in the past, Pollard has had a key role to play. He is someone who has almost always batted at the toughest position of no. 5 and 6 for Mumbai.
Kieron Pollard could have fetched a much higher amount in the draft as well
It was not that hard for Kieron Pollard to deny the offer of the fourth spot from Mumbai Indians because there is not only a mega auction coming up, there is a draft as well before that where the two new IPL franchises will be picking 3 players each. Pollard was highly likely to get himself a much lucrative contract in the draft than the one he has accepted from Mumbai.
But, it’s the loyalty factor he has given much preference to as he wants to remain in the set-up where he started his IPL career. Pollard has said in the past as well that if it’s up to him, he would want to retire from the IPL as a Mumbai Indians player itself and not while playing for any other team.
Pollard has had a bit of an up and down run in international cricket since the last IPL as he was not quite at his best in the T20 World Cup where West Indies could win just one game, but he is still in his early 30s which means he is still a middle term investment for Mumbai, if not the long term. With Pollard and Suryakumar Yadav retained, Mumbai has a couple of key middle-order spots filled now with two quality players.
Here is how Twitter reacted after Kieron Pollard accepted a 6 crore INR offer from Mumbai Indians –
Kieron Pollard
Can Win match from Pressure Situation
Can Bowl when team need
Can do Captaincy in absence of Rohit
Can pulls off a Sensational catchAdvertisementStood as lone warrior in many wins & Now Agreed for 6cr 🙌
Loyalty… Huge Respect 💙 pic.twitter.com/jddXxysYy9
— S H E B A S (@Shebas_10) November 30, 2021
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Jasprit Bumrah agreed for 12cr and Kieron Pollard agreed for 6cr 💙
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) November 30, 2021
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If Loyalty had a name then it is Kieron Pollard 💙
Love u @KieronPollard55 #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/wnE4OrrZjm
Advertisement— RAD 🇮🇳 (@actorvijay_) November 30, 2021
Players loyalty for MI is something else. Kieron Pollard, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga are gem of #MI
Advertisement— M (@iHitman311) November 30, 2021
KIERON POLLARD stays with MUMBAI INDIANS for just 6crores. That's Loyalty for you#MI #IPL2022
Advertisement— 💙AK #MI 💙 (@ak_sr10) November 30, 2021
If Loyalty have any other name
That is "Kieron Pollard"AdvertisementThen
Polly: I would love to play and retire from IPL with Mumbai Indians"Now
Kieron Pollard decided to stay with Mi for 6cr#MumbaiIndians #KieronPollard— Cricket Fan (@Srushtipb) November 30, 2021
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What's loyalty ?
Kieron Pollard agreeing to be retained at a price of 6 crores.💙
Respect increased for u Polly 🥺💙#MumbaiIndians #IPLAuction2022 #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/W1y5mZR6WM— Lucky❤️✨ (@LBerojya) November 30, 2021
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Btw massive respect and appreciations for Keiron Pollard for coming into an agreement for being the 4th retention. Loyalty matters more than money, to some.👏🏻
— Jaanvi🏏 (@ThatCric8Girl) November 30, 2021
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Pollard loyalty to @mipaltan 🔥#MI pic.twitter.com/E59gPGItT6
— HITMAN (@Akhanda_forever) November 30, 2021
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Andre Russell at 12 Cr,
Pollard at 6 Cr,
Sunil Narine 6 Cr
…..Literally unreal steal man. Mainly Narine, eyes are bleeding. Only Loyalty to their franchise will be the reason. Nothing else I can see. Massive respect to West Indies players who always puts team first.
Advertisement— Billgates Billu (@BillgatesBillu) November 30, 2021
you should never question pollard's loyalty to mumbai indians. if mi didn't retain him, his price would have been a bigger one
Advertisement— Udayaditya😠 (@RizingSun75) November 30, 2021
