Kieron Pollard is no stranger to controversies in the IPL. Remember the time he almost threw his bat back at Mitchell Starc? Or the time he wore cellophane tape around his mouth in protest against an umpiring decision?
This time Pollard has taken it one step further – he’s taken on a commentator.
The Mumbai Indians all-rounder has slammed Sanjay Manjrekar for his on-air comments about his batting during an IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium, saying that the former India player suffers from “verbal diarrhoea”.
The reason is not exactly clear but one can only presume it was for Manjrekar’s response to a question on should Pollard bat higher up the order. He was dismissed for a run-a-ball 17, leaving MI at a precarious 119/5 with less than four overs to go in his team’s chase of 179. In the commentary box, Manjrekar had criticised Pollard, saying that he was only good enough to bat for the last six or seven overs of an innings.
Pollard responded angrily to Manjrekar’s criticism in a series of tweets.
@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
It is still not clear whether Manjrekar used the word “brainless” on air, it must be said.
It was a classic case of ‘that-escalated-quickly.’ Fans on Twitter were largely confused as to what made Pollard react this way but most saw this as a chance to take a dig at Manjrekar who’s not exactly the most popular Indian commentator.
@KieronPollard55 Sanjay Manjrekar Says Kieron Pollard “BRAINLESS” During #MIvKKR Commentary. #Pollard Smacked Him Back.❤️You Pollardhttps://t.co/1C5JEjVHTu
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) April 9, 2017
Pollard after thrashing Sanjay Manjrekar on twitter pic.twitter.com/wUa8uV88B0
— Ammar Ashraf (@AmmarAshraf) April 9, 2017
Re the Pollard-Manjrekar spat, I think it’s fair for a commentator to call it as he sees it. SM was theorising about why Pollard doesn’t bat
— Hemant (@hemantbuch) April 10, 2017
@KieronPollard55 @sanjaymanjrekar Pollard to Manjrekar pic.twitter.com/RrFqN9iFaO
— GambhirWarriors1 (@PUNchayati) April 9, 2017
@KieronPollard55 @sanjaymanjrekar What a slap Man , Pollard you beauty 😘
— Ihtisham ul Haq (@iihtishamm) April 9, 2017
With PTI inputs
Feature image source: AFP & PTI