Five IPL titles in eight years. An achievement many T20 franchises would just look at. But Mumbai Indians have made it their own. On Tuesday they lifted their second consecutive IPL trophy and became only the second team in the history of the league to successfully defend their title.
Just after the final, Kieron Pollard, who is the most capped player for MI said that he believes they are the best T20 franchise in the world. The big guy from the Caribbean who has played in most T20 leagues around the world felt that it is the direction in which MI have gone while nurturing young talent and keeping the core intact and happy is what has led to their success.
“It is a great feeling, it means a lot,” Pollard told former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop on the official broadcast after the latest title run, and went on to add, “having been here for 11 years, fifth trophy is fantastic.”
He further added, “With the amount 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.”
The swashbuckling all-rounder was accompanied to the interview by Robin Singh, one of the integral members of the MI supports staff.
“The work that goes on behind scenes – no one sees the preparation, the planning, and to come out and actually deliver on the field,” Pollard said. “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.”
Adding a bit of humor to the ocassion that demanded the same, Pollard in his vintage style said, “Dwayne Bravo you are behind me now (about number of T20 titles), I have to say that on camera.”
Pollard now has 15 T20 titles, five of which has come for him while playing for the Mumbai-based franchise. Bravo, on the other hand, has 14.