IPL 2021: Kieron Pollard recalls how Pandya brothers motivated him to play a match-winning knock in record chase of 219 against CSK

Kieron Pollard is one of the most destructive batsmen going around and many potent bowlers have become victims of his carnage. The dasher can send the ball a long way and his knack of delivering under pressure makes him an even greater asset. On numerous occasions, Pollard has taken his team over the line from a place where victory seemed impossible. His prowess just didn’t earn him success in national colours but also in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well.

The current West Indies captain started his IPL career with Mumbai Indians in 2010 and a great journey got underway. Pollard played several staggering knocks in the blue and golden jersey, earning praises worldwide. In fact, he has been instrumental in taking MI to five IPL titles, most for any franchise. Speaking of his ability to deliver under pressure, Pollard asserted he keeps himself ready to bat at any position.

I bat wherever my team requires me to get the job done: Kieron Pollard

“When I look back and take everything into consideration, what has made Kieron Pollard? It’s what he has done according to the team’s requirement. So if I’m looking at number four, that might be for my selfish perspective. I bat wherever my team requires me to get the job done. If they want me to go up, I train my mind, practice and wait for the opportunity so that I’m not in unfamiliar territory,” said Pollard in a conversation with Cricbuzz.

Pollard also talked about how the Pandya brothers (Hardik and Krunal) motivate him to deliver against the odds. Recalling MI’s IPL 2021 clash against Chennai Super Kings, the 34-year-old revealed how the two all-rounders boosted his confidence and helped him play a match-winning knock. For the unversed, Pollard scored an unbeaten 87 off 34 balls in that game as the defending champions chased down a mountain of 219 runs.

“In the CSK game, Krunal Pandya got an opportunity at number four. A lot of people had been talking about his performance before and he kept on saying we’re going to get this. Hardik walks in, he tells he can smash it for a six and we’re going to get this. That gives you double confidence,” added Pollard.

While the swashbuckler’s batting blitzes gave nightmares to many bowlers, his medium-pace bowling has been handy at times. Speaking of the same, the all-rounder said his street-smart bowling helps him to outsmart batters.

“I’m an underrated bowler. I don’t have the pace, swing, or seam but I try to use the angles and bowl smartly. Sometimes when I come to bowl, the batsmen look at me as someone they want to go after, and that’s when I try to outsmart them,” the veteran explained.