MI Emirates pick Kieron Pollard as wildcard signing for ILT20 2026

MI Emirates have picked Kieron Pollard as their wildcard signing for the upcoming season of DP World ILT20 2026 in the UAE. Pollard was a wildcard signing last season as well, alongside Nicholas Pooran, following the league's inaugural auction.

Pollard also captained MI Emirates in the absence of Pooran, who was set to play for MI Cape Town in the SA20, with the two leagues overlapping.

Pollard led MI Emirates to the final of the competition, and they were close to clinching the title but fell short against Desert Vipers, who lifted the trophy for the first time. 

The legendary all-rounder is the most capped player in T20 cricket, having played 754 matches in the format. He is just 63 runs away from becoming the format’s all-time run-scorer and is only behind Jos Buttler. He has scored 14,999 runs at an average of 31.71 and a strike rate of 150.92.

Pollard has played for MI Emirates in all the seasons of DP World ILT20 and has scored 885 runs from 29 innings along with taking two wickets. The former West Indies cricketer has a long-standing relationship with the MI franchise.

He was recently announced as the new head coach of Mumbai Indians ahead of the Indian Premier League 2027 (IPL 2027). Pollard has also coached MI London in the Men’s Hundred. 

ILT20 2026 to begin on November 21

Pollard will work under former South Africa wicketkeeper-batter and head coach Mark Boucher, who has replaced former India all-rounder Robin Singh at the helm. Under Robin Singh, MI Emirates clinched the ILT20 title in 2024.

The 2026 edition of the  DP World ILT20 is scheduled to run from November 21 to December 20, with matches set to be played in Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.