IPL 2023: Kieron Pollard joins Mumbai Indians camp ahead of IPL

Mumbai Indians stalwart Kieron Pollard has joined the team ahead of the IPL 2023, as the franchise announced on Wednesday (March 22).

The West Indies all-rounder arrived in the first practice session of Mumbai Indians as he makes his debut as the batting coach of MI.

Pollard, 35, decided to not play in the IPL after Mumbai Indians released him for the IPL 2023 auction. Although he recently played in the ILT20 for MI Emirates, another franchise owned by MI, the flamboyant player will be honing his coaching skills in this edition of the Indian Premier League.

Pollard has been a legend for the Mumbai franchise over the years. After making his IPL debut in 2010, Pollard has played 13 seasons for Mumbai Indians and has won 5 IPL trophies with them. In this period, he has played 189 matches, scoring 3412 runs and has picked 69 wickets.

Speaking about Pollard's swift transition from a player to coach, Mumbai Indians batter Tilak Verma said, "Last year I was sharing dressing room with him and this year I am very excited, like he is now our batting coach."

Dewald Brewis, the South African sensation reminisced an old memory with Pollard.

"As I walked into the nets today, I saw Polly behind me, actually my first year when I was here the first net session I had I batted with him so that was quite cool," Brevis said.

Pollard will be adding his experience to the Mumbai thinktank and can be a pivotal part of the backroom staff to revive Mumbai's season this time. The five-time Champions endured a torrid period last year as they failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Mumbai Indians kickstart their IPL 2023 campaign with a date against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 2. The Paltans are up against Chennai Super Kings in their first home game of the season on April 8.