'Home away from home' - Kieron Pollard describes his relationship with Mumbai Indians

Former West Indies cricketer and Mumbai Indians batting coach Keiron Pollard expressed his delight at being able to continue at the successful franchise, a team that he has become very familiar with. 

Making his debut for the Mumbai Indians in 2010, Pollard is one of the franchise's most decorated players. Across a playing career spanning 12 years for the five-time champions, Pollard has scored over 3,500 runs for the franchise and has taken 70 wickets. He is one of MI's greatest match-winners, saving the team in crunch situations on multiple occasions. He was reliable in all three departments of the game, and was one of the most bankable players for the franchise. 

Pollard referred to Mumbai as his "home away from home", stating the special feelings that he keeps for the team.

"MI is home away from home. I am very comfortable with the known faces around in the camp. Words cannot really describe what this team means to me. MI and my connection are a match made in heaven and this team has a very special place in my heart and long may that continue," Pollard told via a video uploaded by the franchise.

Pollard, now part of MI's backroom staff as batting coach, spoke of the preparations for the 2026 season, as Mumbai Indians look to break a six-year trophy drought and lift their sixth crown. Pollard wanted the team to ditch the narrative of being "slow starters" and continue on with the momentum from the start.

“It was a conscious effort after last season that we give it our all, and win this one. We are relatively slow starters, but that is not by choice. No matter what happens… We tried to get a change in narrative, had a couple of more practice games and the energies were pointed in the right direction. We just had a quick chat before going out to chase [against Kolkata]…saying it was a very good pitch and the bowlers did well to restrict the opposition. Let us continue with the right process and I do not see us not winning the game," he added.

Mumbai Indians won their opening match of an IPL season for the first time since 2012, when they beat the Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets, chasing down a massive 221, at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29. Pollard stated that relief came from breaking the jinx, but it was not as easy as the batters made it appear.

“Signs of relief that after so many years we won that first match. Indeed, a great effort from everyone to break that first game jinx, enjoyed it. It looked easy, but it was not that simple when you play against a world class opposition," he concluded.

Pollard played his last game for the Mumbai Indians in 2022 and was not retained ahead of the 2023 season. He announced his retirement from the league and was subsequently named as batting coach, a role which he has continued in since. He has also been named the head coach of MI London, the team's sister franchise, which plays in England's Hundred.

Mumbai Indians are set to take on the Delhi Capitals in an away fixture at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, on Saturday, April 04.