Dwayne Bravo has congratulated Kieron Pollard on being named Mumbai Indians head coach, calling his friend “the Rich Uncle” in an Instagram story on October 24, 2026.
“Congratulations to you my friend! @kieron.pollard55 the Rich Uncle! you definitely deserve this, being named the head coach of one of the greatest teams of all time @mumbaiindians your legacy will continue with the Blue and Gold! Best wishes to you LLORD! #55 #RichUncle Today is a very proud moment for us all”
Dwayne Bravo, Instagram story, October 24, 2026
Dwayne Bravo congratulates Kieron Pollard on becoming the new Head Coach of the Mumbai Indians! 🏏👏
#Cricket #MI #IPL2026 https://t.co/d8Fg3M8Y9E
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) October 24, 2026
MI confirmed the move the same day. Pollard steps up from batting coach to head coach for IPL 2027, replacing Mahela Jayawardene, who stepped down on October 17. He spent the last four seasons shaping MI’s batters as batting coach.
Pollard’s own statement used the same phrase Bravo picked: the Blue and Gold.
“I understand what Mumbai Indians stands for and the responsibility that comes with representing the Blue and Gold.”
Kieron Pollard, Mumbai Indians statement, October 24, 2026
From Polly, straight to our Paltan 💙
Message ekdum clear hai! 🫡 https://t.co/prAVdzQ55L
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) October 24, 2026
Bravo’s message celebrates a friend’s promotion. What it leaves out is how hard it is to give orders to men you once shared a dressing room with.
Bravo has said he played a part in getting Pollard to MI. He recalled two MI officials, Rahul Sanghvi and Robin Singh, meeting Pollard in a Hyderabad hotel lobby during the Champions League with a contract worth 200,000 USD. Pollard could not believe the figure.
Sixteen years later, Sanghvi is MI’s Director of Cricket and Pollard runs the team.
The job he inherits is not a comfortable one. MI finished 9th of 10 in IPL 2026. Since 2024, they have won 15 and lost 24 of 39 matches under Hardik Pandya, and reports suggest Rohit Sharma could return as captain. MI have not confirmed that. The Rohit or Hardik captaincy debate now lands on Pollard’s desk.
New staff arrive with him. Zubin Bharucha joins as Director of Performance, and the Times of India reports Steffan Jones will come in as bowling consultant.
An iconic journey that we are so proud of! 💙 https://t.co/bbuEWvfeCL
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) October 24, 2026
Insider Read
A batting coach lives inside the group. He throws balls in the nets, sits with a player after a failure, and never has to tell anyone they are out of the eleven. Players open up to him because he has no say over their place.
The head coach has that say. Rohit and Hardik won titles alongside Pollard, and the first time he backs a call one of them does not like, the friendship gets tested in front of the whole dressing room. How he handles that first hard call will decide whether the room sees him as Polly or as the coach.
Kieron Pollard’s Record at Mumbai Indians
| Record | Figure |
|---|---|
| IPL seasons for MI | 2010 to 2022 |
| Matches | 189 |
| Runs | 3,412 |
| Average | 28.67 |
| Strike rate | 147.32 |
| Fifties / Highest score | 16 / 87* |
| Sixes | 223 |
| Wickets / Best | 69 / 4-44 |
| IPL titles | 5 (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020) |
| CLT20 titles | 2 (2011, 2013) |
| Batting coach | 2023 to 2026 |
At 39, he still plays. He turned out for MI New York and Trinbago Knight Riders this year, and Joburg Super Kings have signed him for SA20 2027.
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