Whenever we hear the names MS Dhoni and Kieron Pollard, the iconic IPL rivalry between MI and CSK from the 2010s comes to the forefront. These players were always at each other’s throats, trying to win the game for their team.
But beyond the playing field, they have equal and mutual respect for one another. There are numerous occasions on which MS Dhoni has called Pollard one of the most destructive batters.
This time, it was Pollard’s turn to return the favour, and he did it by calling MS Dhoni the best captain of all time. This revelation came during an interview with News 24, when he was asked about who the best skipper is, according to him.
For someone like Pollard, who had played in several franchises, all around the world, it would have been easier to pick any other name. But the big Caribbean chose the name of one player his fans would have expected the least: MS Dhoni.
“Oo, best cricket captain. I’ve never played alongside him, but I’ve seen some of his tactics on the cricket field, and I really enjoyed MS Dhoni. I’ve really enjoyed it. I really enjoyed his captaincy from afar, playing against him, being in the middle, seeing his tactics and stuff like that. I’ve enjoyed that. So, I’ll say, for me, MS Dhoni,” Pollard answered.
Looking back at the Dhoni-Pollard Rivalry
Only true CSK fans will know that there was only one wicket CSK wanted more than anybody’s on that MI lineup, in a chase, and that was of Kieron Pollard.
MS Dhoni, the master of the stumps, always had his aces out front to outfox the brute force that Pollard was. And call them great field placements, or just mind games, they always seemed to work.
As a result, in the 23 innings that Pollard has played against CSK, he has managed to score 583 runs at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 171.9. But he has also been dismissed 16 times, and that’s what MS Dhoni was a master of.
There are ample instances on the internet where we have seen MS Dhoni and Pollard getting involved in banter. Once our Thala ran 2 runs after Pollard faked fielding.
Then there are other instances where we see a very different kind of field set for the MI finisher. As a result, he always lost his wicket, either playing a wrong shot or by getting outplayed by the CSK team.
MS Dhoni, as a batter, enjoyed a lot against Pollard. Despite having played a handful of balls, he has smashed 10 fours and 6 sixes against the Windies powerhouse, batting with a strike rate of 196.
A Rivalry of Respect: Dhoni vs Pollard in the IPL
Looking back, the Dhoni–Pollard rivalry stands as one of the IPL’s most entertaining storylines. Every clash between CSK and MI carried that extra spark when these two giants faced off—Dhoni’s sharp tactics versus Pollard’s brute force.
What made it special was not just the on-field battles but the mutual respect they carried off it. From clever field placements to game-changing dismissals, from banter to big hits, fans witnessed the perfect mix of intensity and admiration.
In hindsight, this rivalry wasn’t just about wickets and runs—it was about two legends pushing each other to their best, creating moments etched forever in IPL history.
