Mumbai, Oct. 25 -- Mumbai Indians' (MI) search for a head coach to replace Mahela Jayawardene ended a lot closer to home. Kieron Pollard, an out-and-out MI player who served as the franchise's batting coach after his playing days, was on Saturday elevated to the role of head coach ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The former West Indies all-rounder will take over the job at a time when MI, the joint most-successful team in IPL history, are battling a challenging phase. Among the most consistent teams in the league, MI are going through a long title drought, having last won the trophy in 2020 while failing to qualify for the play-offs last season. Amid questions around their leadership on and off the field, it led to the departure of Jayawardene. Pollard has been with the team's support staff over the past few seasons after being part of all of MI's five titles as a player between 2013 and 2020. "Having experienced this journey as a player and then as a coach, I understand what Mumbai Indians stands for and the responsibility that comes with representing the Blue and Gold," Pollard said in a statement. "Pollard's appointment reflects Mumbai Indians' commitment to building on the team's legacy while continuing to develop talent, strengthen its culture and pursue excellence on and off the field," said MI in a statement. Pollard admitted that the last few seasons have not gone to the standards that the franchise has set in the past. "We recognise the fact that we have not been where we wanted to be in the last couple of years. So there is no hiding from that," Pollard said in a video interview to MI. "My first task is about understanding what is needed to be done, and when you get into that, bring that spirit and that energy," he added. The fiery West Indies cricketer, who has played in franchise leagues all over the world but only for MI in the IPL, said he might not look at making sweeping changes. "I don't think much can change," he said....