New Delhi: Kieron Pollard, the West Indian legend, may have retired from international cricket, but his bat still roars in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025.
In a jaw-dropping display during the 19th match against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Pollard smashed seven sixes in just eight balls, turning a faltering Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) innings into a spectacle of power-hitting that left Tarouba’s Brian Lara Stadium buzzing.
A Fiery Turnaround
TKR’s innings was teetering at a precarious 78 for 3 when Pollard strode to the crease. The team had lost early wickets, and the Patriots’ bowlers sensed an opening. But Pollard, the 38-year-old TKR stalwart, had other plans. What followed was a masterclass in destruction, as he unleashed a barrage of sixes that flipped the match on its head.
Initially measured, Pollard was on 12 off 13 balls. Then, the floodgates opened. Facing Navin Bidaisee in the 15th over, he clobbered three towering sixes: one soared over deep mid-wicket, another sailed 93 metres down the ground, and a third rocketed over deep square leg. The Patriots were rattled, but Pollard wasn’t done. In the next over, Waqar Salamkheil bore the brunt of his fury, conceding four consecutive sixes — a googly smashed over the bowler, a full toss hoisted over long-off, a wide delivery hammered over long-on, and another launched to complete a hat-trick of maximums. In just 21 balls, Pollard raced to a scintillating 50, finishing with 65 off 29 balls at a strike rate of 224.13, studded with eight sixes and two fours.
A Game-Changing Partnership
Pollard’s blitz wasn’t a solo act. Alongside TKR captain Nicholas Pooran, who contributed a steady 52 off 38 balls, he forged a match-defining 90-run partnership for the fourth wicket in just 49 balls. Their aggressive stand lifted TKR from a shaky position to a formidable 179 for 6 in 20 overs. Contributions from Darren Bravo (21) and Colin Munro (17) added depth, but it was Pollard’s pyrotechnics that stole the show.
The Patriots fought back, with Jason Holder claiming two wickets, but TKR’s total proved imposing. Pollard’s onslaught not only demoralised the opposition but also underscored his enduring prowess in T20 cricket, proving that age is no barrier to brilliance.
A Legend’s Lasting Impact
Though retired from the international stage, Pollard’s CPL heroics reaffirm his status as a T20 titan. His eight sixes in the match, including seven in a mere eight balls, echoed his reputation for turning games single-handedly. As TKR builds momentum in CPL 2025, Pollard’s fiery innings serves as a reminder: when his bat speaks, bowlers tremble, and crowds roar.