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ShareKieron Pollard gave a new definition to T20 batting on Friday night. After a slow start, he smashed 4,4,6,6,0,6,4,1,4,6,6 off the last 11 balls, helping T&T to a near-impossible win over NSW Blues.
You provided the fireworks a day before Diwali.
(Smiles) I got to know about the festival only today. You can't blame me for that. It's my first visit to India. Happy Diwali to you.
Was it your best knock?
Could be. I played a few similar knocks back home for T&T in the Stanford series. But I think this is my best knock at the biggest platform.
Where were you all these days?
You became a star overnight! It would not have been possible if there was no such tournament. It is not easy to get into the West Indies XI when everyone is available. I had to utilise my opportunity. Hopefully, I will be able to do it for T&T more often and also for the West Indies.
Sehwag, Afridi, Gilly and now Pollard.
It will be a nice honour for me if that happens. I will try to be like that but I'm not in the class of those guys yet.
Tell us honestly, were those shots out of desperation?
I always knew I had it in me to perform for the team. Particularly when the team needed it from me. I backed myself to do it. My partners at the other end were also doing well. They told me if you are there till the very end, we will win. I was being encouraged by my teammates.
What was the approach when the target got stiff with 80 needed off 42 balls?
We needed a couple of good overs and we were looking for that. I needed 10 balls to get my eye in. When Bravo (Dwayne) was run out, I told myself that I have to do it for Trinidad and Tobago. I'm happy I did it.
Do you have any particular philosophy of batting?
The ball is there to be hit. There is not much time to analyse. It's just a matter of you and the ball. My aim is basically to hit the ball outside the fence and score boundaries. It's a matter of getting your eye in and playing to your strengths.
Have you styled your game on any cricketer? Lara, Richards...?
I have not styled my game on anybody. I play it that way. I, of course, admire a few guys. One of them is Chris Gayle, who is one of the strongest hitters. He is one of my favourites. Dwayne Bravo is my teammate and my idol. Then there is Kevin Pietersen.
T&T are favourites now, isn't it?
I don't know. We will play hard cricket and hopefully will do well.
You have been a revelation. Are there many like you in the West Indies?
There is a lot of talent back home. There are many guys waiting to explode one day. They need the right kind of exposure. There are many Kieron Pollards in Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Antigua... In the next CL T20, you might see a different set of West Indian cricketers showcasing their talents.
What is that design on your head?
We come from the West Indies and we wanted to bring a different flavour to the tournament. We wanted to give the Indians the taste of Calypso flavour. It is about the marketability of our cricket. I don't think anyone expected T&T to do so well. We want to bring some marketability to the team through our exciting brand of cricket.
West Indies cricket is going through a critical phase...
There have been a few discrepancies in West Indies cricket stopping the players from showcasing their talents. It is now up to the cricketers to do what is expected of them.
There is a lot of discipline in the T&T team that is not otherwise seen in West Indies cricket. There is a lot of professionalism in Trinidad & Tobago. We try to bring discipline into our cricket and do what we need to do. Having said that, you can't really speak of my cousins in the West Indies. Once things are put in place, I'm sure the guys will put their heads down and take West Indies cricket where it belongs.
