IPL 2020: Mumbai Indians The Best T20 Franchise In The World, Says Kieron Pollard

Hard-hitting all-rounder, Kieron Pollard opined that Mumbai Indians have a claim for the best T20 team in the world. His comments came after MI clinched their fifth IPL trophy in Dubai.

Mumbai Indians defeated the Delhi Capitals in the final of the IPL 2020 by five wickets. They successfully defended their title, becoming only the second team to do so in the history of the tournament- after Chennai Super Kings in 2011.

Apart from five IPL titles – which is two more than the next best CSK – Mumbai also has a couple of Champions League T20 trophies which they won in 2011 and 2013.

I think you will have to say so: Kieron Pollard

After the final, the commentator, Ian Bishop, asked Kieron Pollard if he feels that this Mumbai Indians team is the best in the world. The Trinidadian was quick to point out the reasons why he concurs with that thought. Pollard said that MI have the most trophies in the IPL. He explained how a number of cricketers from the MI team have gone to play international cricket for India and their respective countries.

The 33-year-old eulogised on the balance of the team, saying that they have all the boxes ticked; from openers to middle-order batters to finisher and from new ball bowlers to outstanding death bowling- MI has every aspect of the game covered, and also have proper backups for each player.

In the post-match conferecne, Kieron Pollard said, “With the number of trophies, the amount of work and the number of players that went on and played international cricket, play for India, play for their different respective countries, I think you will have to say so [that this is the best T20 franchise].

The way we plan, each and every box is ticked in what we want to achieve as a team. The openers, middle-order batsmen, finishers, death bowlers… We have an abundance of them in our team.”

I’ve been here 11 years, fifth trophy: Kieron Pollard 

The West Indian has been with the Mumbai Indians since 2010 being part of all five title victories and has gone through several ups and downs. He said that while there is the pressure of playing for a big franchise but with the planning and training, he has improved as an individual.

Pollard, who won the super striker of the season award for batting with a strike rate of 191 praised the owners and the management for their behind the scenes work, which has been the key ingredient for the success of the Ambani-owned franchise.

Kieron Pollard continued, “It’s a great feeling. I’ve been here 11 years, fifth trophy. No one sees the planning and training, it’s pressure playing for a franchise like this. It’s pressure, yes, to play for a big franchise like this, but you can only get better as an individual if you take everything on board, take it with a pinch of salt, and take it positively.

“Again, kudos must go to the ownership and the management staff and everybody for the work they do behind the scenes in order to the project this team into the international stage. Long may it continue for us.”

Kieron Pollard will lead the West Indies team against New Zealand for a 3 T20I series starting 27th November in Auckland.

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