Kieron Pollard in Super Kings yellow is something very few Mumbai Indians fans would have expected. The West Indies all-rounder who became one of the biggest icons of the Mumbai Indians franchise has now joined the Joburg Super Kings for the upcoming SA20 season.
The move happened at the SA20 Season 5 auction on October 7, 2026, when Joburg Super Kings bought Pollard for R1.5 million. It is also the first time Pollard will represent a Super Kings team.
For years, Pollard was on the opposite side of one of the IPL’s biggest rivalries. Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have had some great battles and Pollard was often at the centre of that, and in some of them.
2013: Pollard’s 57* Steals the Show
One of Pollard's early memorable performances against CSK was in the 2013 league match at Chennai.
Mumbai Indians were in trouble after losing a number of wickets but Pollard changed the game with an unbeaten 57 off 38 balls. He struck five sixes and helped Mumbai reach 148/6.
CSK appeared capable of chasing the target, but Pollard also produced a stunning moment in the field. CSK needed 12 from the last over, Dhoni tried to clear the boundary, only for Pollard to leap and take an excellent catch.
Mumbai won by nine runs, with Pollard named Player of the Match.
2013 Final: Another Pollard Impact
Later that year, Mumbai Indians met Chennai Super Kings in the IPL final.
Mumbai were at 16/3 and were struggling to rebuild their innings. Pollard remained unbeaten on 60 from 32 balls and provided the late surge that took Mumbai to 148/9.
CSK managed 125/9 in reply, giving Mumbai their first IPL title. Pollard was named Player of the Match.
2015 Qualifier: Pollard’s 41 Helps Mumbai
The rivalry produced another important Pollard performance in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2015.
Mumbai posted 187/6 with Pollard contributing a quick 41 off 17 balls. His aggressive innings helped MI build a strong total.
CSK were eventually bowled out for 162, giving Mumbai a 25-run victory and a place in the final.
We got Pollard in yellow before GTA VI 😭💛 #WhistleForJoburg https://t.co/WPbx47GAbd
— Joburg Super Kings (@JSKSA20) October 7, 2026
2019 Final: One more battle against CSK.
Probably the most famous recent chapter was in the 2019 IPL final.
Mumbai were down to 89/4 before Pollard helped steady the innings. He was unbeaten on 41 from 25 balls, including three fours and three sixes.
His contribution helped Mumbai reach 149/8. CSK also scored 148/7, and Mumbai won the final by just one run.
Kieron Pollard vs CSK — Key Numbers
- IPL matches: 21
- Runs: 513
- Highest score: 87*
- Batting average: 42.75
- Strike rate: 175.10
- 50+ scores: 4
- Player of the Match awards: 4
- Wickets: 7
- Best bowling: 2/12
- Catches: 12
From Mumbai Blue to Super Kings Yellow
Pollard spent 13 IPL seasons with Mumbai Indians, making 3,412 runs and taking 69 wickets. He was part of all five of Mumbai's IPL-winning campaigns before retiring from the IPL in 2022 and getting into coaching.
Now, after all these years of fighting against the Super Kings, Pollard will finally be part of their family.
The Joburg Super Kings move marks an unusual chapter in Pollard's career -- the former Mumbai Indians icon is now going to wear Super Kings yellow; and fans will recall all the times he helped Mumbai take games away from the team he will represent now.
