09 August,2013 10:48 PM IST | | Agencies
West Indies cricket legend Desmond Haynes has compared T20 star Kieron Pollard with Mahendra Singh Dhoni, saying the former's captaincy reminds him of India's World Cup-winning skipper.u00a0
Haynes feels Pollard's reading of the game and calmness in tough situations is similar to Dhoni.
"I was one of the men who supported the idea of Pollard being Barbados Tridents captain," said Haynes, head coach of the Barbados Tridents, one of six teams participating in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
MS Dhoni (left) and Kieron Pollard in action during IPL. File Pic/AFP
"I have seen him before during my short stints with the West Indies cricket team and I always thought that this was one guy who understands the game of cricket."
"Now that he is captain of the Barbados Tridents and we are working closely together I have gotten even more respect for him. Pollard reminds me a lot of Dhoni," Haynes was quoted as saying in West Indies media.
Pollard was the centre of protest action by two people who picketed the Kensington Oval before the start of the CPL. Also, sections of the Barbados population were clamouring for Dwayne Smith or even Kirk Edwards to lead the team as they are Barbadian as opposed to Pollard, a Trinidadian.
"I know that it is a big comparison but I know what I am saying. He is a leader on and off the field and is leading by example for his team to follow. His reading of the game and his calmness in tough situations reminds me of Dhoni," Haynes said.u00a0
With three wins in as many matches, the Tridents are close to cementing their semifinal berth in the tournament and Haynes said he is very happy with the way Pollard handled his team in the tournament.
"I looked at the way he handled the bowlers and it was brilliant. I am very happy with Pollard's leadership of this team," Haynes said.u00a0
