Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya has expressed his emotions about reuniting with former all-rounder and current batting coach Kieron Pollard. The Indian all-rounder returned to MI through a significant trade with the Gujarat Giants (GT) before the IPL 2024 auctions and is preparing for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season after a prosperous two-year stint with the GT.
The MI skipper shared a touching post featuring Pollard, accompanied by a throwback image capturing the West Indian all-rounder looking at Hardik's biceps.
"Some bonds never change my brother but only get stronger. Excited to work together again," Hardik wrote as the caption for the picture.
Here’s What Pandya Posted:
Hardik Pandya’s Journey With Mumbai Indians
Hardik Pandya joined Mumbai Indians during the 2015 IPL and remained with the team for seven seasons, forging a close bond with the Trinidadian all-rounder. Kieron Pollard is a revered figure within the franchise, having been a stalwart member for 13 consecutive seasons since joining ahead of the third season in 2010.
Pollard and Hardik were teammates at MI until 2022, when the Indian all-rounder departed for the Gujarat Titans. Hardik is set to reunite with his former team ahead of the IPL 2024 season. Meanwhile, Pollard announced his retirement from IPL ahead of the 2023 season and transitioned into the role of batting coach for the team.
In a video shared by Mumbai Indians on social media platform 'X' a few days back, Pandya expressed the significance of donning MI's jersey.
“The feeling of wearing this colour is very special for me. My journey started here, and coming back home, which is always going to be special,” said Pandya.
MI will kick off their 2024 IPL campaign against the Gujarat Titans, the former team of their new skipper, on March 24 (Sunday) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.