Don’t Judge Rohit on a Few Low Scores,” Says MI Coach Pollard
Rohit Sharma with Kieron Pollard
Mumbai Indians (MI) batting coach Kieron Pollard has dismissed concerns over Rohit Sharma’s poor start in IPL 2025, urging people not to judge the seasoned cricketer based on just a few low scores. Speaking at a pre-match press conference in Lucknow on Thursday, Pollard backed the former MI skipper, who has struggled in the tournament so far, scoring just 0, 8, and 13 in his first three innings.
“Rohit has etched his name in history, in record books, in different situations, in different formats of the game. He is a legend of the game. So, let’s not judge him on a couple of low scores,” said Pollard ahead of MI’s match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Friday.
Big Knock Just Around the Corner
Pollard believes that Rohit, who led MI to five IPL titles, is not under any pressure and that a big innings from the star batter is inevitable.
“There are times when you will have a couple of low scores. As an individual, he is enjoying his cricket and not being pressurised in certain situations. I am sure we will be singing his praises when he gives us that big score, and then we will be on to the next hot topic,” he added.
No Complaints About Lucknow Pitch
Recently, LSG mentor Zaheer Khan criticized the Lucknow pitch after his team’s loss to Punjab Kings. However, Pollard refrained from making any comments on the pitch conditions, instead emphasizing the importance of adaptability.
“My expertise is not as a curator, but for us, it’s about adaptability in whatever is presented. As players and coaches, we need to be prepared for any situation. The nature of the pitch is something we can’t control, but great players and teams learn to adjust. That’s how you get to be called world-class and legends,” Pollard said.
Emerging Young Talents in MI
Mumbai Indians have introduced several promising youngsters this season, including Vignesh Puthur and Satyanarayana Raju. Pollard expressed delight at their performances and stressed the importance of nurturing young talent while maintaining a balance with experienced players.
“At some point, the superstars we admire today were also young talents. So why should we say there is no space for the next generation? We just need to be careful in how we portray things,” he said.
Pollard emphasized that generational changes are natural and necessary in cricket. However, he warned against discarding experienced players too soon.
“There is a cycle in everything, and we need to accept that. Young players will come in, but that doesn’t mean the senior players who nurtured them should be overlooked. There must be a balance,” he added.
IPL’s Role in Uncovering Future Stars
Pollard praised the IPL’s role in discovering fresh talent every season and said it was a healthy sign for Indian cricket.
“Every year in the IPL, we get to unearth young talent, which is great for the future. However, senior players still have a key role to play, and we must not forget their importance,” he concluded.
With Mumbai Indians looking to regain momentum in IPL 2025, Pollard’s words reflect the team’s confidence in both its experienced players and emerging stars.
Also Read: Yashasvi Jaiswal makes surprise switch from Mumbai to Goa
