Due to their excellent winning record since the inception of the Indian Premier League, Mumbai Indians are considered the most successful franchise. Rohit Sharma led franchise has four IPL trophies and two Champions League titles under its belt, and their winning-record is unmatchable.
Among the players who have actually thrived while putting on the MI jersey is West Indies stalwart Kieron Pollard. The all-rounder has been an important part of the side, given that Mumbai Indians snapped him up at the 2010 IPL auction. But very few fans know the fact that Pollard’s fellow teammate Dwayne Bravo was the reason behind Mumbai buying the all-rounder. Bravo almost forced Mumbai Indians to get Pollard and played a crucial role in Pollard’s breakthrough in the Indian Premier League.
During a chat with Harsha Bhogle on Cricbuzz, Bravo revealed that when Mumbai Indians needed a replacement for him, he suggested to them Pollard’s name. But Mumbai Indians couldn’t get hold of Pollard, and they signed Dwayne Smith as Bravo’s replacement.
Did you know that @KieronPollard55's buy at @mipaltan in 2010 was pioneered by @DJBravo47? You cannot miss this fascinating tale, as he narrates it to @bhogleharsha on #CricbuzzInConversation pic.twitter.com/sgM4ictNNs
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) May 3, 2020
In the following year, when it was the T20 Champions League in Hyderabad, Bravo again suggested Pollard’s name due to his performances for Trinidad & Tobago. He smashed 146 runs in five innings for Trinidad & Tobago at a blistering strike rate of 197.29. Bravo recommended the franchise to sign up Pollard and the contract he got at that time was of USD 200,000.
Bravo revealed that he immediately called Pollard in the lobby after Mumbai Indians were interested in signing him up. According to Bravo, after the 19-year-old Pollard saw the contract, he was left stunned.
Pollard immediately made his presence felt in his debut season for the franchise as he scored 273 runs in 14 matches together with picking up 15 wickets. Due to outstanding all-round performance, Pollard eventually became an important part of the Mumbai Indians’ squad.
Bravo also heaped praise on the explosive all-rounder and stated that one could not imagine Mumbai Indians’ side without Pollard in it.
Pollard is considered one of the most deadly all-rounders in the league, and his stats show his ability on the field. While playing 148 matches in the IPL, Pollard has scored 2755 runs, including 14 half-centuries and got 56 wickets, including a four-wicket haul.
