Table of Contents
Former West Indies cricketer Kieron Pollard left an indelible mark on the Indian Premier League (IPL) with his explosive batting, versatile all-round skills, and exceptional leadership. Known for his colossal hitting power, Pollard had the ability to single-handedly change the course of a match with his aggressive stroke play, particularly in the death overs.
Versatile all-rounder and inspirational leader
Beyond his batting prowess, Pollard’s medium pace bowling and agile fielding make him a valuable asset to any team. His leadership qualities shine through in his captaincy stints, notably with the Mumbai Indians (MI), where he has led the team to multiple titles in the IPL. Pollard’s consistency, big-match performances, and charismatic personality made him a fan favorite and an iconic figure in the IPL.
Ambati Rayudu identifies player reminiscent of Kiron Pollard
His absence from the MI lineup has left a void that is hard to fill, underscoring his significance in the team’s dynamics. However, former MI batter Ambati Rayudu has named a player from the current team who reminds him of Pollard.
Rayudu compared MI’s emerging star Romario Shepherd to the legendary Pollard following the West Indian all-rounder’s stellar performance in his team’s 29-run victory over the Delhi Capitals (DC) at Wankhede Stadium. Shepherd unleashed a remarkable display of power-hitting, smashing four sixes and two fours in the final over against South African pacer Anrich Nortje, accumulating 32 runs and concluding with an unbeaten 39 off only 10 deliveries.
Also READ: IPL 2024 – Ambati Rayudu reveals RCB’s mega auction strategy; names two potential retentions
In addition to his batting prowess, Shepherd also made a significant contribution with the ball, dismissing DC opener David Warner, thus playing a pivotal role in MI’s inaugural triumph of the season.
“Yeah, I think so. Because definitely MI misses Pollard a lot. I think Romario Shepherd is filling in his shoes and the way he has been hitting the ball. And, you know, it reminds me of Pollard all those years back when the match is done. He used to really come out there and win the game for you. Romario is doing the same thing,” Rayudu said while speaking on Star Sports.
