Last Updated on 3 days ago by Charbel Coorey
Mumbai Indians (MI) confirmed on Saturday that Mahela Jayawardene will step down as head coach ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League season. His exit ends a long association with the franchise having been with MI in various roles for ten seasons guiding MI to three of the five IPL titles in 2017, 2019 and 2020.
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Jayawardene first took over as the Mumbai Indians’ head coach in 2017 and held the position until the end of the 2022 season. With the franchise continuing to develop teams in overseas competitions such as the SA20, ILT20 and Major League Cricket, he was later promoted to Global Head of Performance.
Jayawardene came back as head coach for IPL 2025, succeeding Mark Boucher, after a disappointing 2024 campaign. That season MI reached Qualifier 2, but their 2026 season ended on a disappointing note as they finished second from the bottom of the table.
Mahela Jayawardene: “I leave with immense pride in what we have achieved together.”
“Mumbai Indians has been a very special part of my journey for over a decade now,” Jayawardene said in an MI statement.
“The players, coaching team, the incredible support of the OneFamily and above all the fans have made this an experience I will always treasure. Together, we have shared some unforgettable moments, overcome challenges and built something we can all be proud of.
“I want to sincerely thank Mrs. Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani for their unwavering trust, support and friendship over the years. I leave with immense pride in what we have achieved together and will always carry a special place in my heart for MI. I wish the team every success in the years ahead,” he said.
Jayawardene’s departure also prompts questions over MI’s overall team management especially concerning captain Hardik Pandya, after the team’s woeful IPL 2026 campaign. MI could manage to win only four games out of 14 and soon after their season ended, reports and social media discussions started linking Hardik with a possible trade.
His own returns in the season too were well below expectations, with the all-rounder managing just 206 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 138.25 with his top score being 40. With the ball he managed just four wickets in 10 matches.
With less than a month to go for the IPL retention deadline on November 15, MI now has to select a head coach. The IPL auction is expected to be held in Goa about a month later.
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