'Will be difficult but they need to take some tough calls' - Harbhajan Singh on Kieron Pollard's Mumbai Indians future

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh feels that Mumbai Indians should look to release Kieron Pollard ahead of IPL 2023 mini auction to build their team for the next four to five years. November 15 is the deadline for the franchises to name their retained players and their released players with the mini auction coming up for IPL 2023 in December. Mumbai Indians have already traded Jason Behrendorff from the Royal Challengers Bangalore.  

Coming to Pollard, the veteran batter has been a great servant for the Mumbai Indians from the 2009 edition and has been part of their core group. He has played invaluable innings from time to time but could only manage 144 runs in 11 innings at an average of just over 14 in IPL 2022.

Have to move forward and make a team for the next 4-5 years: Harbhajan Singh 

Harbhajan, who himself had played a big part for the Mumbai Indians from 2008 to 2017, said that the franchise needs to move beyond Pollard and make some tough calls considering the future. He added that Tim David and Cameron Green can do the job that Pollard has done and suggested that Mumbai will back the two youngsters for the role. 

“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 a few tough calls and maybe this is the time. 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 on Star Sports. 

“Yes, they have Tim David, who can do a similar sort of job and of course, there is another Australian in the auction that is Cameroon Green. I think they will be eyeing him to be part of the Mumbai set-up. Of course, it’s going to be a tough call, but at some stage, you have to take those calls," he added.