Mumbai Indians have suffered a major setback ahead of the IPL 2027 season, with head coach Mahela Jayawardene stepping down from his position. The franchise has officially announced the development. Jayawardene, who returned for his second stint as head coach, served the team over the past two seasons.
Jayawardene shares a long-standing association with Mumbai Indians. He previously served as the team’s head coach from 2017 to 2022, during which the franchise won three IPL titles. Subsequently, from 2022 to 2024, he worked as Mumbai Indians’ Global Head of Performance.
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During his tenure in that role, Jayawardene oversaw the operations of Mumbai Indians in the IPL, MI Emirates in the ILT20, MI New York in Major League Cricket and MI Cape Town in the SA20.
Before the 2025 IPL season, Jayawardene returned as Mumbai Indians’ head coach, replacing Mark Boucher. However, the team failed to achieve the expected results during his second stint. Mumbai finished fourth in the 2025 season before losing in Qualifier 2. The team’s performance declined further in 2026, when it finished ninth in the standings.
Reacting to his departure, Jayawardene said Mumbai Indians had been a very special part of his journey. He recalled sharing many memorable moments with the players, coaching staff and fans. He also expressed his gratitude to Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani for placing their trust in him and consistently supporting him. He added that Mumbai Indians would always hold a special place in his heart.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani also praised Jayawardene’s contributions to the franchise. She highlighted how his leadership, commitment and passion for cricket had benefited the team. Thanking him for his services, she said Jayawardene would always remain a part of the Mumbai Indians ‘One Family’.
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With Jayawardene stepping down, Mumbai Indians will now have to appoint a new head coach ahead of IPL 2027. The franchise faces a tight schedule, with the player retention deadline set for November 15. With the IPL auction reportedly expected to take place in Goa in the coming month, appointing a new coach has become an important priority.
Meanwhile, speculation continues over the captaincy of Mumbai Indians. Hardik Pandya faced criticism following the team’s disappointing performance in IPL 2026. Mumbai managed just four wins in 12 matches, finishing second from the bottom of the standings. This led to speculation that Pandya could be traded to another franchise.
Pandya also struggled to deliver the expected results individually. He took just four wickets in 10 matches and scored 206 runs in 10 innings with the bat.
With the search for a new head coach now underway, it remains to be seen what decisions Mumbai Indians will make regarding their team combination and captaincy ahead of IPL 2027.
