Kieron Pollard stresses preparation and man management at Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians head coach Kieron Pollard says the role feels surreal as he stresses preparation, man management and team spirit. Reflecting on Mahela Jayawardene, Robin Singh and Phil Simmons, he highlights tactical awareness, player autonomy and balancing data with instinct

Hyderabad: Mumbai Indians’ newly appointed head coach Kieron Pollard said the feeling of taking on the responsibility had not sunk in yet and that it was a surreal experience, considering he had been on the other side of the rope for so many years.

“I don’t think much can change. I think it’s more embedded in you to want to win all the time and to invoke that sort of passion each and every single time. I think my first task is about understanding what needs to be done. Again, and then when you get into that, bring that spirit and that energy. Talk about that,” Pollard said in an interview on the Mumbai Indians’ social media platform.

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“What’s going to happen is that we’re going to try our best now to ensure that we continue to play for that badge, put the team above self, and then ensure that when the opposition comes, it’s something that they remember from the past. Yes, it’s history, but sometimes, in order to go forward, you have to go back a little bit and understand. And I think that’s where it’s going to start,” he said.

Reflecting on his years of learning from Mahela Jayawardene, Pollard said the 10 years he had spent with him had been fantastic.

“Obviously, our first sort of meeting would have been as a player and as an opponent, with me being a youngster on the international scene and him playing for Sri Lanka and captaining Sri Lanka. You know, what stood out for me immediately from then was how precise he was from a tactical perspective in that sense,” he said.

On the role of head coach, Pollard said: “I think it’s more about preparation. I think match day, at times, as an individual and being around a match day, is sort of an easier day because the work has to be done beforehand. Because when match day comes, there’s no control over certain things anymore. Obviously, the captain is in control of what’s taking place or certain decisions. Yes, you’re going to communicate certain things, but the way that we have planned, the way that we are prepared, the tactical side behind it, the conversations, and getting guys to play certain roles and be responsible.”

“I think the majority of it is man management. It comes down to that. It comes down to conversations, one-on-one conversations. Yes, it comes down to the team talks and the team tactics. But cricket is made up of a group of individuals who have to play a role in order for the team to win,” Pollard said.

“One coach I’ve taken a lot from is Robin Singh. I came in 2010, and he was a coach at that time. And the amount of work, the work ethic, part of it, was second to none. He didn’t know when to stop, right? But it was something that I’ll never forget because the work that he would have put in would have given me the opportunity to go out and perform. Then you look at somebody like Phil Simmons outside the IPL, the calmness that he brings gives you the opportunity to express yourself as a person and as a cricketer,” the former West Indies all-rounder said.

“The best time you play is when your mind is at ease. So, as a staff and as coaches, if we can take away that pressure from them in whatever way we can to ensure that they can go out and give their best, I think that’s where we’re going to see the true legendary status of some of the guys that we have in that dressing room, and they’re going to continue to shine and continue to propel themselves in the world of cricket,” he explained.

“I still believe the natural instinct of cricketers needs to be taken into account. So, there just needs to be a balance between how much data is used and the human part of cricket that is still there, because we are still humans playing. It’s not a robotic game. And when you put in a length, that’s exactly what is there. Different variations have happened from the time the ball is delivered before it gets to the batter,” Pollard said.

“When you speak about Mumbai Indians and you speak about One Family, I think that’s something that was inculcated firstly from the ownership group, Mrs Nita Ambani, Akash and Boss (Mr Mukesh Ambani),” he said.