By Zainab Shafiq 
Caribbean cricketer Kieron Pollard has celebrated countless victories in his career, but the moments after Trinbago Knight Riders clinched their fifth Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title were not filled with the usual talk of silverware. Instead, Pollard used the occasion to revisit a familiar theme, the jeers and boos that continue to follow him in certain parts of the Caribbean, despite his achievements.
The 38-year-old allrounder, who has represented West Indies on the world stage and remains one of the most decorated T20 players globally, admitted that the hostility has become a striking backdrop to his success. From Providence in Guyana to other regional stadiums, the pattern has been the same: cheers for the opposition, but boos for Pollard.
“It (winning the title) means a lot, but one thing I will say, there’s three countries in the Caribbean where we have played, the booing is boring now,” Pollard stated after the final. “We are still the laughing stock of cricket in the West Indies. You have a guy who has represented the entire Caribbean over a period of time, putting them on the map in the format. But we still don’t appreciate him. I’m not bitter but I feel sorry, not for myself.”
The Duality of Glory and Criticism
The paradox of being celebrated for success while simultaneously being ridiculed is not lost on Pollard. While his leadership and performances have helped shape Trinbago Knight Riders into a dominant CPL powerhouse, the boos persist.
Pollard stressed that his identity as a cricketer has always been rooted in passion for the game rather than politics. “Kieron Pollard has played cricket, that’s what I know. I got the opportunity, God has given me a talent, I have represented my family and my country. I don’t politicise things, I do it because I love the game, I love the sport.”
For him, cricket has always been about representing both family and nation, yet the constant barrage of jeers has underscored a lack of appreciation within some Caribbean audiences. Caribbean cricketer Kieron Pollard admitted that the irony of being a five-time champion while still facing derision is a reality he cannot ignore.
“This means a lot, five-time champions, but it’s quite ironic that we are still the laughing stock of cricket in the world,” he added.
History of a Frustration That Lingers
The divide between Pollard and some sections of the Caribbean fanbase is not new. As far back as 2019, after enduring loud boos in Providence, he had pointed out the oddity of being jeered despite representing the same regional cricketing body. “It’s amazing to know that I’m right from Trinidad and Tobago and you walk into the cricket ground, as much as you’re supporting a team, and booing a West Indies player as well; so that goes to show the kind of characters we have going around the Caribbean,” he had remarked at the time.
The pattern suggests that the relationship between Pollard and certain crowds may never fully heal, even as his cricketing accolades continue to grow. Caribbean cricketer Kieron Pollard may be lifting trophies, but the sound of boos has become a familiar soundtrack to his storied journey.
Himadullah Sohoo 
Anas Ahmed