'Once the rain is over, an umbrella becomes a burden to everyone' - Pollard's cryptic Insta story sparks speculation among fans

The former star batter from the West Indies, Kieron Pollard, currently serving as the batting coach for the Mumbai Indians, has set social media abuzz with a cryptic post.

As cricket fans gear up for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and USA, Pollard's social media story has sparked speculation among fans, with many interpreting it as a direct hit at Mumbai Indians owners and captain Hardik Pandya.

The post reads, "Once the rain is over, an umbrella becomes a burden to everyone. That’s how loyalty ends when benefits stop." Fans quickly decoded the message, pointing fingers at MI owners and skipper Hardik Pandya.

Pollard retired from the Indian Premier League after Mumbai Indians released him but returned to the team as a batting coach. However, controversy has arisen with the backdrop of IPL 2024's trading window surprises, including Hardik Pandya's return to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans in an all-cash deal and his appointment as the new captain, replacing Rohit Sharma, which stirred criticism among fans.

Pollard's Instagram post adds fuel to the fire, with many questioning the loyalty and decision-making within the Mumbai Indians camp. The cricketing community is abuzz with speculation, as the cryptic message aligns with the sentiments of fans dissatisfied with the handling of Rohit Sharma's captaincy.

ICC Men's T20 World Cup is set to take place in the West Indies and the United States

The upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup is set to take place in the West Indies and the United States in 2024. This ninth edition of the tournament will witness the participation of 20 teams, which is an increase from the 16 teams that competed in the 2022 edition. Along with the hosts, the top eight teams from the previous tournament secured automatic qualification, along with the next two teams on the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings. 

The remaining eight teams were selected through a regional qualification process. It is noteworthy that Canada, Uganda, and the United States have qualified for the T20 World Cup for the first time.