Kieron Pollard, a prominent player in the IPL, has long been a key figure for the Mumbai Indians, often delivering outstanding performances against the Chennai Super Kings. However, with a new chapter ahead, Pollard will no longer don the blue jersey of Mumbai Indians. Instead, he’s set to represent the Joburg Super Kings in the upcoming SA20, having been purchased for R1.5 million during the Season 5 auction.
This marks a fascinating turn of events, as it was back in 2010 when Chennai Super Kings first attempted to recruit him in the IPL auction. Now, after sixteen years, Pollard will finally wear the colors of a Super Kings franchise, albeit it will be for Joburg and not Chennai.
Pollard rose to fame during the 2010 auction due to his impressive displays for Trinidad and Tobago. He attracted the attention of several IPL teams, including the Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Kolkata Knight Riders. The bidding grew intense, ultimately reaching the maximum bid of $750,000. With multiple teams involved, a secret tie-breaker was used, and the Mumbai Indians bagged Pollard, kicking off a remarkable 13-season journey with the franchise.
Throughout his time with the Mumbai Indians, Pollard amassed 3,412 runs and took 69 wickets, playing a crucial role in all five of the team’s title-winning seasons. He also contributed to their successes in the Champions League T20, solidifying his status as one of the franchise’s greatest players.
Even after announcing his retirement from the IPL in 2022, Pollard remained with the Mumbai Indians, taking on the role of batting coach and contributing to various team activities. He played key roles with MI Emirates in the ILT20, MI New York in Major League Cricket, and MI Cape Town in the SA20. As captain of MI Cape Town in the 2024 season, he made a significant impact with 187 runs at a strike rate of 185.15. Although he missed out on their title win in 2025, he returned for the 2026 season to fill in as a replacement for Rashid Khan.
Pollard’s exit from MI Cape Town marks the end of an era, as he was a familiar presence within the franchise. Following his release prior to the latest auction, Pollard found himself among 155 other players vying for 19 available spots.
In a strong financial position, Joburg Super Kings entered the auction with R20.6 million and made Pollard their first choice, signing him without any competition. This transition marks Pollard’s first experience with a Super Kings franchise, introducing him to a new team after years with Mumbai Indians. It also brings a historical IPL storyline full circle, with Pollard finally taking on the Super Kings colors, even if it’s the Joburg Super Kings jersey rather than the one from Chennai.
