IPL 2023: 3 Players Who Can Play the Role of Kieron Pollard in MI Squad

IPL 2023: History confirms that the Mumbai Indians are the most successful franchise in the Indian Premier League. They are the only team to have won the tournament five times: in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020, respectively. But the 2022 edition was just the worst season they could ever have had. MI started with eight straight defeats, which kicked them out of the tournament in the first half itself.

But still, with a new season, the team will start fresh. But this time, they will not have their most consistent performer, Keiron Pollard. The veteran star was released by the franchise ahead of the 2023 auction. Then he announced his retirement from the league. Although he is with the team as a batting coach, MI needs someone like him in the team who can win difficult games as Pollard did in his tenure. Hence, we will discuss three contenders who can fill the role of Pollard for MI.

IPL 2023: 3 Players Who Can replace Kieron Pollard in MI Squad

3. Tristan Stubbs

When one thinks about Pollard, one can imagine big sixes and real quick cameos. He was the backbone of the MI middle order. And one such batter in the current MI squad is the South African star Tristan Stubbs. The 22-year-old is a perfect middle-order batter who comes with an ability to hit big shots.

He has established himself as a big-hitting batter on the South African domestic circuit. Stubbs also played a handful of T20Is for his country. He was the most expensive player in the inaugural SA 20. Stubbs can be MI’s long-term investment because he can play quick innings like Pollard used to do during his career. MI might try to give him more games so that he can show his power-hitting in the coming season.

2. Cameron Green

One man that was on the radar of every franchise when he was announced in the IPL 2023 auction was the emerging Australian all-rounder Cameron Green. Every franchise wanted to pick him, but it was MI who signed him for INR 17.5 crore. He can play as a pure bowler and also as a batter.

Among all the current MI players, Green is a perfect like-for-like replacement for the West Indian superstar. With the inclusion of Green in the team, MI can play an extra batter or a specialist bowler. Green has shown what he is capable of with the limited opportunities he has had. Many former cricketers believe that Green can become the best all-rounder in modern-day cricket. Thus, the 23-year-old has everything he needs to replace Pollard at MI.

1. Tim David

Without a doubt, Pollard brings power-hitting strength to the MI squad, and there are not many players close to him in this department. But when we look at the current MI squad, there is one batter who is as good as Pollard was at his peak. And he is none other than Singapore-born Australian cricketer Tim David. The 6″6 tall batter is a big-built hitter like Pollard was and can hit the balls many miles.

David has proven his power-hitting at the international level and for various T20 franchises across the world. MI rated him very highly, and he even showed some glimpses of his power-hitting in 2022. He played 8 innings and scored 186 runs at an average of 37.20 and a brilliant strike rate of 216.27. David played when MI dropped Pollard, so that might be his role in the team for the coming seasons.