Pollard informs Joburg Super Kings of his unavailability for SA20

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Kieron Pollard has informed the Joburg Super Kings management of his unavailability for the upcoming SA20 season. A day after being formally appointed head coach of the Mumbai Indians team, the Trinidadian communicated his inability to turn out for the Johannesburg-based franchise, a South African subsidiary of Chennai Super Kings. Interestingly, JSK are part of a league in which the Mumbai Indians management also owns a team, the MI Cape Town.

Pollard’s decision diffuses a potentially awkward scenario that could have triggered unwanted confusion. It must be mentioned, however, that the MI management had no objection to Pollard turning out for another franchise in a different league. “It’s up to KP on the matter. We have given no instructions,” an MI source told Cricbuzz before the news of Pollard communication emerged. Viewed objectively, it would appear that all parties may have acted sensibly.

Pollard was bought by Joburg Super Kings for R1.5 million at the SA20 auction earlier this month after the MI Cape Town management chose not to bid for him. Instead, MICT bought Shimron Hetmyer for the same amount, triggering something of a stunned reaction across the cricketing fraternity, particularly within the franchise circuit. At that time, the MI management said they could not have waited for Pollard and hope no one else will bid him.

“It all depended on the auction order. Both Hetmyer and KP perform the same role in the middle order. Hetmyer’s name came up first, and we could not have waited for Pollard. What was the guarantee that no other team would compete with us and we would get him at the auction?” an MI source explained, referring to the franchise’s decision not to bid for Pollard at the SA20 auction.

Pollard had never played for a franchise other than MI or MI subsidiaries in a league where the Mumbai Indians have a presence. He retired from the IPL a couple of years ago but continued to turn out for other MI-owned teams in global leagues – MICT (12 matches), MINY (30 matches). He also played for MI Emirates (25 matches) in ILT20. From 2024 to 2026, he featured for all three teams. He plays for Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL, where MI has no presence. He is the head coach of the MI London team in The Hundred. Pollard joined the Mumbai Indians in IPL in 2010 and featured across 13 seasons for the side until 2022. He was part of each of their five title wins.

“He has conveyed to us that he will not be able to play for Joburg Super Kings,” confirmed Kasi Viswanathan, CEO of CSK and all Super Kings franchises. “We will now look for a replacement.” The fifth season of SA20 will be held from January 17 to February 21.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Pollard’s name was finalised about three-four days back by the MI management for the head coach role. He was called to Mumbai for discussions on Thursday and he was confirmed as head coach after a couple of rounds of deliberations over the next couple of days. The MI management believed that, as a franchise legend, Pollard commanded the respect of the entire dressing room, including the senior players.

Nita Ambani’s comments summed up the thinking behind Pollard’s elevation from batting coach to head coach. “Pollard joined Mumbai Indians as a young 22-year-old and, over the past sixteen years, has become an integral part of our family. As a player, he gave us many unforgettable moments, and as a coach, he has continued to share his experience, passion and deep understanding of the game. We are delighted to see him take on this new responsibility as Head Coach. Polly knows what it means to wear the MI jersey and what it takes to play for the Paltan,” the owner said.

Pollard is known to be close to Hardik Pandya, who is believed to be on the trade block. Whether his appointment will prompt the MI management to reconsider a possible trade involving the all-rounder is a matter of speculation at this stage. Equally significant is Pollard’s close association with Rohit Sharma at a time the franchise is looking for a captain. Pollard’s appointment has now opened up fresh possibilities, and questions, on both the trade and captaincy fronts.