Sri Lankan cricket great Mahela Jayawardene has stepped down as head coach of Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2027, ending his second stint with the five-time champions after two seasons.
Mumbai Indians announced Jayawardene’s departure on Saturday, with the former Sri Lanka captain saying the franchise had been a special part of his journey for more than a decade.
“Mumbai Indians has been a very special part of my journey for over a decade now,” Jayawardene said in a statement released by the franchise.
“The players, coaching team, the incredible support of the #OneFamily and above all the fans have made this an experience I will always treasure.”
Jayawardene thanked franchise owners Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani for their trust and support, adding that he left with immense pride in what they had achieved together.
The decision follows a disappointing IPL 2026 campaign in which Mumbai Indians finished ninth in the 10-team competition, winning only four of their 14 league matches.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the possibility of a change in the coaching set-up was discussed during the franchise’s season review in August. Both the player leadership group and the franchise were understood to have agreed that a change was needed, with Jayawardene also reportedly receptive to bringing in younger coaches and fresh perspectives.
Jayawardene’s departure leaves Mumbai Indians searching for a new head coach with the IPL retention deadline set for November 15. The incoming coach will also have a say in the future of the existing support staff, which includes assistant coach Kieron Pollard and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey.
Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani paid tribute to Jayawardene’s contribution to the franchise.
“Mahela has made a significant contribution to Mumbai Indians over the years,” she said. “His calm leadership, integrity and deep love for the game have meant so much to us.”
She added that Jayawardene would always remain part of the franchise’s “#OneFamily”.
Jayawardene first took over as Mumbai Indians head coach in 2017 and held the position until 2022. During that period, he guided the franchise to three IPL titles, in 2017, 2019 and 2020, establishing himself as one of the most successful coaches in the tournament’s history.
He subsequently served as the franchise’s global head of performance from 2022 to 2024, overseeing Mumbai Indians’ wider network of teams, including MI Emirates in the ILT20, MI New York in Major League Cricket and MI Cape Town in South Africa’s SA20 competition.
He returned as head coach ahead of IPL 2025, replacing Mark Boucher. Mumbai Indians finished fourth in the league stage that year but lost in Qualifier 2. Their campaign deteriorated further in 2026, when they finished second from bottom.
Jayawardene’s exit also comes amid uncertainty surrounding captain Hardik Pandya following the team’s disappointing season. Pandya scored 206 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 138.25 and took four wickets in 10 matches. Reports and social media speculation about a possible trade involving the India all-rounder emerged after Mumbai’s campaign ended.
Mumbai Indians last won the IPL in 2020, when they became the first team to successfully defend the title. Both their championship victories under Jayawardene came during his first stint as head coach.
The franchise must now identify a successor and prepare for the next season, with the IPL auction expected to take place in Goa around a month after the retention deadline.
