Mahela Jayawardene returns to Mumbai Indians coaching

The five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have appointed Mahela Jayawardene as the head coach of the team.

Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene was previously the head coach of Mumbai Indians between 2017 and 2022. Under his previous coaching tenure, Mumbai Indians won three IPL trophies.  

Former South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher was the previous head coach of Mumbai Indians. Boucher played the head coach role for the team for two years (2023 and 2024). While MI finished in the last or 10th place in the last IPL season, they were eliminated from the Qualifier 2 in the IPL 2023. 

In 2022, Jayawardene became the franchise’s global head of performance. Apart from the IPL, the MI franchise is present in UAE’s ILT20 (MI Emirates), South Africa’s SA20 (MI Cape Town), and the USA’s MLC (MI New York). 

Mahela Jayawardene on MI family

In the official statement on his MI head coach return, Jayawardene said, "My journey within the MI family has always been one of evolution. In 2017, the focus was on bringing together a talented group of individuals to play the best cricket ever and we did very well. Now to return, at the same moment in history, where we look ahead at the future and the opportunity to further strengthen the love of MI, build on the vision of the owners, and continue to add to the history of Mumbai Indians, is an exciting challenge I am looking forward to."

Jayawardene is also working with the Hundred team Southern Brave and the Bangladesh Premier League team Khulna Titans.