(Image Source: Instagram)
[Saba Sports News] Kieron Pollard, the former West Indies star batter and current batting coach for Mumbai Indians, recently posted a cryptic message on social media that has set the cricket community abuzz. As excitement builds for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and USA, Pollard’s post has led to widespread speculation, particularly among fans who suspect it’s a veiled reference to Mumbai Indians’ owners and captain Hardik Pandya.
The post states, “Once the rain is over, an umbrella becomes a burden to everyone. That’s how loyalty ends when benefits stop.” This message has led fans to speculate about possible tensions within the Mumbai Indians, especially in light of recent IPL developments.
Pollard, who retired from playing in the IPL after being released by Mumbai Indians, rejoined the team as a batting coach. However, the IPL 2024 trading window has seen some surprising moves, including Hardik Pandya’s return to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans in an all-cash deal and his subsequent replacement of Rohit Sharma as captain, which has drawn criticism from fans.
This Instagram post by Pollard seems to resonate with the feelings of those unhappy with how Mumbai Indians have handled Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, sparking discussions about loyalty and decision-making in the team.
Regarding the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the 2024 edition in the West Indies and the United States will be the ninth of the tournament, featuring 20 teams — an increase from 16 in the 2022 edition.
Automatic qualification was secured by the hosts and the top eight teams from the previous tournament, along with the next two teams in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings. The rest were selected through regional qualification, with Canada, Uganda, and the United States qualifying for their first T20 World Cup.