Kieron Pollard blasts Sanjay Manjrekar for on-air 'brainless' remarks

What’s the story?

Mumbai Indians all-rounder Kieron Pollard has come out with a scathing statement in response to Sanjay Manjrekar’s on-air comments about his batting during the recent Mumbai Indians-Kolkata Knight Riders match in the IPL. Manjrekar had questioned Pollard’s ability to play at No.5, claiming that the West Indian did not have the brains to play early in the innings.

Extra cover: IPL 2017: MI vs KKR, SK Turning Point, Chaotic fielding adds to last over drama

The West Indian was dismissed for a low score during the Mumbai innings, but his team still managed to go past the line against the KKR, winning the match by four wickets.

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Pollard, featuring for the Mumbai Indians in their second match of the season, walked in to bat with the score reading 74-3. He made a run-a-ball 17, before falling to the bowling of Chris Woakes.

Sanjay Manjrekar, doing English commentary for the official broadcaster during the match, remarked at Pollard’s quick dismissal, proclaiming that “Pollard doesn’t have the brains to play early in the innings”.

The heart of the matter

Pollard took to Twitter to express his displeasure at Manjrekar’s comments, posting a back to back tweets that were directed at the former Indian batsman.

He first sent out a direct tweet to Manjrekar’s handle, and followed it up with a barrage of tweets from his own handle.

@sanjaymanjrekar u feel any positive can come out of your mouth bcuz u get pay to talk u can continue with your verbal diarrhea ..

— Kieron Pollard (@KieronPollard55) April 9, 2017

Do you know how I get big so.. about BRAINLESS.. words are very powerful .. once it leaves u can't take it back.. sins of parents fall on...

— Kieron Pollard (@KieronPollard55) April 9, 2017

U finish that sentence .. !! All in all great TEAM effort .. well done team well done Hardik nitesh krunal youngsters doing the business

— Kieron Pollard (@KieronPollard55) April 9, 2017

Parallels from history

Pollard has always been a lively character on the field. The temperamental all-rounder has had multiple heated arguments with his opponents during the IPL itself. A few years back, he was involved in an ugly fight with RCB’s Mitchell Starc, throwing his bat in the bowler’s direction in the 2014 season.

He also taped his mouth once during another RCB game, after the on-field umpires had asked him to tone his sledging down against his own countryman, Chris Gayle.

Author’s Take

While commentators have the freedom to express their opinion on the mic, it is imperative that they don’t cross certain lines. Manjrekar’s analysis of Pollard was crude: while he would have meant to say that Pollard is better suited to play down the order, Manjrekar’s statement about Pollard being ‘brainless’ was a tad insensitive, and certainly a poor choice of words from the commentator.

Pollard is the kind of cricketer who calls a spade a spade, and wouldn’t stop from hitting back at his detractors. Hopefully, Manjrekar is a lot more careful with his choice of words when dealing with Pollard in the future.