‘Sorry, Universe Boss’: Kieron Pollard’s message after breaking Chris Gayle’s T20 record

Kieron Pollard and Chris Gayle (Image Agency) Kieron Pollard added another remarkable chapter to his T20 legacy on Sunday when he overtook Chris Gayle to become the highest run-scorer in the history of the format during Major League Cricket 2026.A significant moment came when the former West Indies all-rounder scored 81 during MI New York’s clash against the Washington Freedom. Pollard eventually remained unbeaten on 100 off 56 deliveries, though his century fell short. The knock took his career T20 score to 14,582 runs from 736 matches, at an average of 31.83 and a strike rate of 151.12.The 39-year-old overtook fellow West Indian great Chris Gayle to end the “Universe Boss’s” 12-year reign at the top of the all-time T20 runs chart.For Pollard, the achievement holds extra significance as the vast majority of those runs have come while batting in the middle and lower order, rather than as a top-order batsman.“To get past Chris Gayle, someone we’ve looked up to in the West Indies for a while, is special. He’s done great things in all formats of cricket, so again, sorry Universe Boss, but we’re both at the top there,” Pollard said after the match.“Having said that, batting at No. 6 or 7 is very difficult. But someone has to do the dirty work and while everyone rushes to bat at the top of the order, there are 11 people in a cricket match and everyone has a role to play. I think my role over time has been to finish the matches and I have accepted that,” he added. Once you accept it, it’s good.Pollard’s rise to the top of T20 cricket also serves as a reminder of a generation of West Indian cricketers who embraced franchise cricket long before it became widely accepted. Along with players such as Gayle and Dwayne Bravo, Pollard has often faced criticism for favoring franchise leagues, with many believing this was at the expense of international commitments.Looking back, however, Pollard has no regrets about the path he chose and believes time has vindicated his generation’s decisions.“Hell no, I’d be lying if I said that (if he ever imagined he’d score ‘most runs’). But what I’m proud of, individually and with all those other guys you mentioned like Chris, is that we took a leap of faith and got laughed at a lot for it. Now you’re going to see guys at a young age, even if you retire from international cricket to play cricket again; the business.” he said.“One thing I’ve learned in life as human beings is that when you’re doing something different, change is something we’re not really used to. I’m happy that I lived to see that day and I hope that everyone who has criticized us over the years can sit back and say, ‘Cheers’. We don’t need to apologize. Respect every format of the game as much as technology, but I understand that.