A joke has been viral on social media that the Indian Premier League should actually be called West Indian Premier League. The joke is in reference to talented cricketers’ — Kieron Pollard, Chris Gayle and Andre Russell — from the Caribbean dominating the show. 

On Wednesday night, Mumbai Indians’ Pollard joined the Caribbean party when he produced a spell-binding knock of 83 (31b, 3x4, 10x6) that turned the game on its head against Kings XI Punjab at the Wankhede Stadium. He guided hosts to a three-wicket win.

Asked, after his match-winning performance, about the West Indian domination in the IPL, Pollard said: “We know what we can do and I think Chris batted superbly. A fellow West Indian is Russell...he’s smacking the ball and it’s great to see the way he’s hitting the ball and Narine. 

“These guys are having a good tournament and again, when your mind is free, you just go out and enjoy cricket. You don’t think about much because there are a lot of opinions, there are a lot of things, but it’s people as close to you and what they think matters.” 

Pollard has not been part of the West Indies cricket set up in the last three years and with changes in the WICB set up there are chances he might get a look in before the World Cup. The Trinidad-born is positive of his return to international cricket.

“Every time I get the opportunity to play, I want to do my best. There has been a lot of turmoil in West Indies cricket over the last couple of years. We have seen in the last couple of weeks there’s a change.” Pollard was one of the players blacklisted. “The most I can do every time I step on the cricket field is try to put runs on the board. 

“There’s people there who have the job to select and let’s see how that goes. As I said, I’m 31-years-old, Chris Gayle is still playing, he’s 39, and he’s whacking it all around.” 

So with so much talent on display in IPL, can West Indies count themselves as one of the favourites in the World Cup? 

“Yeah, of course, you can say that. But again, as I said that’s why there’s people...we have a new chairman of selectors (Robert Haynes is set to get that post), there’s a new president of the cricket board, and as I said you take it as it comes. 

Before this knock and last year, Pollard’s inconsistency was being questioned by many. The MI management also released the dashing batsman before buying him back at the auction. Did he ever think about it? 

“Last year, you might not have been asking me that question. Yes, I scored runs tonight so all sorts of questions will come but for me it’s just about enjoying cricket and doing my best with my god-given talent,” said Pollard.

“It is what it is. 2018 is gone and obviously when you are losing, people tend to have all sort of opinions. Even people who have not played he game or people who have played have opinions, you can’t stop them from that. 

“I’m a cricketer, 31 years of age and have a lot of cricket left in me. People who are close to me have backed me, that’s most important. It did not work last year, but last year is gone. 

“We have life, we need to get up in the morning, the sun rises in the east and set in the west. There are better things than winning or losing. It’s a matter of me coming out enjoying game and that’s what I am doing,”  said Pollard.