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Did Mumbai Indians Make A Mistake Forcing Kieron Pollard To Retire Too Early From IPL?

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Kieron Pollard in MLC 2025 [Source: @Cric_with_Abhi/x.com]Kieron Pollard in MLC 2025 [Source: @Cric_with_Abhi/x.com]

Kieron Pollard's explosive performances in MLC 2025, where he maintains a strike rate of 186.11 and recently demolished the Texas Super Kings with 70 runs off 39 balls, raise serious questions about the Mumbai Indians' decision to let him go. The veteran all-rounder's continued dominance across global T20 leagues suggests the five-time IPL champions may have made a premature judgment call. 

The Season That Changed Everything

Pollard's IPL 2022 campaign painted a concerning picture of Mumbai Indians management. Averaging just 14.40 with a strike rate of 107.46 across 11 matches, these were career-low numbers for a player who had been their finishing specialist and outright match-winner for over a decade. His 144 runs in the entire season represented a dramatic decline from his usual explosive standards. 

However, this single-season dip now appears to have been an anomaly rather than indicative of a permanent decline. His post-IPL 2022 performances tell a drastically different story.

Post-IPL Renaissance Across Leagues

Since he retired from the IPL, Pollard has demonstrated remarkable consistency and power across multiple T20 competitions. Leave aside the older numbers and look at his current MLC 2025 record. Aged 38 years, the West Indian is striking at 186.11 and averaging 40.20. Besides his 70 off 39 in the last outing against the Texas Super Kings, he played a couple of crucial knocks that nearly secured victories for the MI New York.

Looking beyond MLC, Pollard has come up with match-defining knocks in CPL with the Trinbago Knight Riders, the ILT20 with the MI Emirates and various other global T20 competitions. These performances consistently showcase the explosive hitting ability that once made him one of the IPL's most feared finishers.

MI's Transition Miscalculation

Mumbai Indians cited their need for transition and youth development as primary reasons for moving on from Pollar after 2022. While this strategy has its merits in franchise cricket, its execution appears flawed when examined in light of the subsequent evidence. Pollard's post-IPL retirement performances across leagues demonstrate he retained significant value as both player and mentor.

The franchise essentially lost a proven match-winner, who could have provided both immediate impact and guidance to young players in real match situations. His current role as batting coach suggests that Mumbai recognised his value, but only after releasing him as a player.

A Premature Farewell

The evidence strongly suggests Mumbai Indian's decision was premature. Pollard's sustained excellence across global T20 leagues indicates that his 2022 struggles were an aberration rather than a decline. The franchise prioritised long-term transition over short-term proven quality, a decision that appears increasingly questionable given his continued dominance at the highest level of T20 cricket worldwide.