Kieron Pollard to not play for Joburg Super Kings in SA20 2027

Former West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard has opted out of playing for the Joburg Super Kings (JSK) in SA20 2027. Pollard was signed by JSK at the auction for R 1.5 million, with MI Cape Town not opting to enter the bidding.

Pollard played 12 games for MI CT in the SA20 in 2024 and 2025-26, scoring 207 runs at a strike rate of 171.07. However, he was recently announced as the head coach of Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the Indian Premier League 2027 (IPL 2027).

Given his new responsibility, Pollard has communicated his decision not to play in the upcoming SA20 season to JSK. The franchise can now sign someone from outside the auction pool to replace him.

Kasi Viswanathan, CEO of CSK and all Super Kings franchises, has confirmed the development.

“He has conveyed to us that he will not be able to play for Joburg Super Kings. We will now look for a replacement,” Kasi Viswanathan was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

The SA20 2027 will be held from January 17 to February 21. Pollard has also played for MI New York in Major League Cricket (2023-26) and for MI Emirates in the ILT20 (2023 to 2025-26). He also coaches MI London, another team owned by the same group, in the men's Hundred competition.

Pollard's career at MI

Meanwhile, Pollard replaces Mahela Jayawardene at the helm, with whom MI recently parted ways. He had an illustrious IPL career with MI, being the only franchise he played for throughout his career. He represented MI in 189 games from 2010 to 2022, scoring 3412 runs and picking up 69 wickets.

Pollard was part of each of their five IPL triumphs in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. After the 2022 season, he took over as the team's batting coach. His first responsibility in his new role will be to finalise the franchise’s retention list ahead of the November 15 deadline. The IPL 2027 auction is expected to be held in Goa, a month later in December.