Kieron Pollard, now stepping into his role as the head coach of the Mumbai Indians (MI), urges his team to embrace bravery and shed the fear of failure. Aiming to inspire confidence among MI supporters by demonstrating the team’s “fire in our belly,” Pollard acknowledges the challenge that lies ahead if results don’t immediately favour them. Despite potential obstacles, he insists, “Nothing is going to sort of faze me.”
Since their last Indian Premier League (IPL) victory in 2020, MI have experienced changes in leadership. Previously serving as the batting coach after retiring as a player in 2022, this marks Pollard’s first role as head coach. Reflecting on his new position, he shares, “The most fun part is that you are able to set the tone in any environment for the team. Obviously, the challenging part is going to be if results are not going your way.”
Competing with an ensemble of cricketing stars such as Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah, Pollard’s task is to harness the potential of these players to steer the team towards success. He believes this hinges largely on effective man management and open communication, stating, “Cricket is made up of a group of individuals, who have to play a role for the team to win.”
A vital challenge for current IPL teams is adapting to the increasing scores on Indian pitches. With 200 becoming a standard target, and matches often reaching 250 runs, Pollard acknowledges, “It has changed a lot. It’s gone from 140, 160 being competitive to trying to not get 120 in the powerplay.” His solution involves embracing change and evolving strategies to tackle high-scoring games, which he admits will require bowlers to work even harder.
Sharing insights from his time learning under Mahela Jayawardene, who led MI to three IPL titles between 2017 and 2020, Pollard highlights the importance of tactical detail and planning. “Having to experience him as a coach playing under him was even more fantastic for me,” he remarks, appreciating Jayawardene’s meticulous approach.
Furthermore, Pollard discusses the balance between data-driven strategies and players’ natural instincts. While he acknowledges the importance of data, he stresses, “The natural instinct of the cricketers still needs to be taken into account. It’s not a robotic game.”
Looking forward, Pollard draws from his experiences and aims to guide MI with a blend of tactical insight and an appreciation for player individuality, all while acknowledging the legacy of those who mentored him.
