Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh indicated that the time has arrived for Mumbai Indians to look past allrounder Kieron Pollard and make a “difficult decision”, which may serve the side well in times to come.
Speaking on host broadcaster Star Sports’ show ‘Game Plan – IPL Retention Special’, Harbhajan suggested that five-time Premier League champions could well be moving on from Pollard after the experienced cricketer’s lacklustre campaign with the bat in hand last season.
Retired from international cricket early in 2022, the 35-year-old went on to endure perhaps his most disappointing IPL season with the bat. The mighty powerhitter failed to replicate his deeds as an end-overs assaulter for the five-time winners, carrying an insipid SR of 107.46 over his 11 innings while averaging a measly 14.40.
With Pollard showing signs of decline in his strokemaking abilities, Harbhajan said he could well pave the way for someone else in the MI camp. That someone, he reckons, can be Australia’s rising young cricketer Cameron Green, bringing similar fast-bowling allround talent to the auction table.
“Well, I think it’s going to be very difficult for Mumbai Indians to release Kieron Pollard. He’s been there for many years. But yes, there are times when you have to take few tough calls and maybe this is the time,”
Harbhajan said.
“They have to move forward and make a team for the next 4-5 years and try to find someone who can do what Pollard has done over the years.”
Harbhajan said with Tim David in their ranks, Australia have the death-overs hitting abilities covered in their line-up. But the inclusion of Green could prove to be a major game-changer since he also brings with him a capable fourth seamer in the mould of what Hardik Pandya used to provide to the franchise in the past.
If MI don’t retain Pollard, and the former West Indies international goes without a bid at the auction, that could bring to an end one of the most significant IPL careers. Despite a poor IPL 2022 season, the player stands with 3,412 runs made at a strike-rate of 147.32 and 69 wickets taken at an economy rate of 8.79 over 189 appearances in the league.
