Kieron Pollard, newly appointed head coach of Mumbai Indians (MI), has openly acknowledged that the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions have fallen well short of expectations in recent seasons, declaring that the first step toward recovery is honest self-assessment. Pollard made the remarks in a video posted on the franchise's official social media accounts on Saturday, 24 October 2026.

A Legend Steps Into the Hot Seat

Pollard, who served as MI's batting coach over the last four IPL seasons, takes over from Mahela Jayawardene, who parted ways with the franchise last weekend. The former West Indies all-rounder's connection with MI stretches back to IPL 2010, when he was first signed as a player. He went on to be part of all five of MI's title-winning campaigns — in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020 — as well as their two Champions League T20 triumphs in 2011 and 2013.

Pollard played 189 IPL matches, scoring 3,412 runs at a strike rate of 147.32 and picking up 69 wickets. He played his last IPL season in 2022, retired ahead of the 2023 edition, and moved directly into the batting coach role under Jayawardene.

Pollard's Message: Acknowledge Before You Rebuild

'You understand as a team that we have not been as great as you want us to be, and that's something the first step to getting better is acknowledging,' Pollard said. Addressing MI's loyal supporter base — the so-called Paltan — he added, 'We acknowledge that you are still the most loyal fans to us, the Paltan crew, and hopefully we can continue to show that passion that you have seen over the years, and we can relive some of those memories with some of the new generation cricketers. We look forward to playing with the badge. We look forward to having that fire in our belly, and hopefully see a fearless Mumbai Indians once again.'

The Slump in Numbers

The scale of MI's decline since their last title is stark. Following the IPL 2020 triumph in the UAE, the franchise has failed to add a sixth crown. While they reached the playoffs in 2023 and 2025, they finished tenth and ninth respectively in the 2024 and 2026 seasons — a dismal slide for a side once regarded as the benchmark of T20 franchise cricket.

Pollard was candid about the task ahead. 'When you walk into Wankhede Stadium, you're not seeing the yellows and the reds and stuff like that. You want to see that blue flag flying and you want to see that passion and spirit from the fans and that can only come firstly from us,' he said, underlining that on-field performance must precede any revival of the stands' famous atmosphere.

Priorities: Identity, Accountability, and Fearlessness

Pollard outlined a clear philosophical direction: restore the team's identity before tinkering with personnel. 'My first task is understanding what needs to be done. We recognise the fact that we have not been where we wanted to be in the last couple of years. So there's no hiding from that,' he said. He emphasised a 'team above self' ethos, insisting MI must make opponents recall the fearsome side of the franchise's peak years.

The new head coach also acknowledged the surreal nature of his elevation. 'I don't feel that it has sunk in just yet. Now you sit in this position, wanting to do well for a franchise that has given you so much and you have given so much to them,' he reflected.

Tribute to Jayawardene and What Comes Next

Despite taking over the top job, Pollard was generous in crediting his predecessor. He described their decade-long association — first as opponents on the international stage, then as player-under-coach and finally as batting coach alongside Jayawardene — as formative. 'Those 10 years with Mahela had been fantastic... the knowledge that I would have gained over that period of time from someone like him, I have to say I'm blessed,' Pollard said. Pollard also serves as head coach of MI London in The Hundred men's competition, underlining the expanding MI ecosystem. With the next IPL auction cycle approaching, MI's rebuilding effort under their most iconic overseas player will be one of the tournament's most closely watched storylines.