The ongoing Pakistan Super League season 9 has seen a major development with West Indies star Kieron Pollard leaving the tournament midway. Pollard, who plays for Karachi Kings, has exited the PSL in order to attend celebrations of Anant Ambani wedding. Anant Ambani is the son of Indian business tycoon Mukesh Ambani, in Mumbai.

Also, Pollard’s decision has come as a big blow for Karachi Kings, currently placed at the bottom of the points table. The burly West Indian is one of the most destructive batsmen in T20 cricket and his absence will significantly weaken the Kings lineup. 

Meanwhile, the glitzy Ambani wedding scheduled for early March is the talk of the town in India, with several high-profile guests expected from across the world.

Pollard’s Importance to Karachi Kings 

Kieron Pollard has been an integral part of the Karachi Kings lineup since PSL’s inaugural edition in 2016. With his aggressive batting approach, brilliant fielding skills and clever medium pace bowling, Pollard lends much needed balance and x-factor to the struggling franchise. His absence will force the team management to rejig the winning combination.

Ambani Wedding – The Big Indian Wedding 

The premium all-rounder for the Karachi Kings, Kieron Pollard, reportedly departed Friday from the team to attend Anant Ambani’s pre-wedding ceremony in Mumbai.

During the wedding celebrations of Mukesh Ambani’s son, Pollard would be absent from the Kings squad for four days. Ambani is one of the wealthiest individuals in the world.

The Kings’ match on Sunday (March 3) at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi, against the in-form Multan Sultans will not be played due to the absence of the all-rounder.

He is anticipated to report to Rawalpindi on March 4 to join the squad, and then be prepared to face the Quetta Gladiators on March 6.

The wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani, son of India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani, are set to be an extravagant affair. The Ambanis are known for hosting lavish parties, be it weddings or annual staff parties. 

This wedding is likely to be attended by top industrialists, political bigwigs, celebrities and cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar.

Pollard’s Connection with Mumbai Indians 

Firstly, Pollard shares a close bond with the Ambani family through his long association with their IPL team Mumbai Indians. He has been part of MI since 2010 and is one of their marquee players. This explains his invite to the family wedding. 

Secondly, The Ambanis consider him family and Pollard seems to have chosen attending the wedding over his PSL duties.

Anant Ambani’s spectacular wedding festivities will be graced by the presence of numerous international athletes, including prominent figures from Indian cricket, among others.
To no one’s surprise, Pollard had a lengthy stint as an IPL player for the Mumbai Indians. 

March 3 will see the Pakistan Super League (PSL) encounter between the Multan Sultans and the Karachi Kings. Celebrity gatherings and athletic events can coexist, as Pollard’s short absence from the public wedding shows. This is particularly true with the illustrious Ambani family and their extravagant celebrations. 

Rumour has it that Mukesh Ambani’s ex-daughter spent close to $100 million on her lavish wedding in 2018. Beyoncé, the American pop sensation, performed at one of the feasts, which took place in Lake Como, Italy, Mumbai, and Rajasthan. 

The wedding of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, is quickly approaching, and it is anticipated to be even more lavish than his previous nuptials.

Impact on PSL 9 

Pollard’s absence is a huge loss for Karachi Kings as they struggle at the bottom of the table. The balance of the team will be affected. However, the other PSL franchises will be happy as it weakens one of their main rivals. The tournament itself will miss Pollard’s firepower and he was one of the key attractions for fans this season. His departure midway dilutes PSL’s charm.

Conclusion 

Kieron Pollard’s sudden departure from PSL 9 to attend the Ambani wedding in India has come as a shock for fans. While the reasons behind his decision are understandable given his close ties to the Ambanis, it leaves his PSL franchise Karachi Kings in a tough spot. His absence robs the tournament of some star power and leaves the Kings with a weakened lineup. However, the glamorous Ambani wedding will surely be an once-in-a-lifetime experience for Pollard. His focus will now shift to the IPL starting soon after the PSL concludes.

FAQs 

Q1. Why did Pollard leave PSL midway?

A1. Pollard left midway to attend the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani in Mumbai, son of his IPL team Mumbai Indians’ owner Mukesh Ambani.

Q2. How long will Pollard be away from PSL?

A2. Pollard is expected to miss the remainder of the PSL season as the Ambani wedding celebrations last for 3-4 days in early March.

Q3. Who will replace Pollard in the Karachi Kings lineup?

A3. Karachi Kings are likely to pick Martin Guptill as Pollard’s replacement in the playing XI.

Q4. When will Pollard return to cricketing action?

A4. Pollard will return to the field for Mumbai Indians at the IPL starting end of March after the PSL concludes.

Q5. How important is Pollard for Karachi Kings?

A5. As a power hitter and match-winner, Pollard is one of the most important players for the Karachi Kings franchise.

Q6. What makes Ambani weddings so grand?

A6. Ambani weddings are renowned for their opulence, extravagance and the guestlist of rich and famous from across the world.

Reference

Baig, M. (2024, March 2). Kieron Pollard Leaves PSL Midway to Attend Ambani’s Wedding. Technologistan.