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Sports

Mahela Jayawardene steps down as Mumbai Indians head coach ahead of IPL 2027

hellohimachalse@gmail.com 17 Oct 2026 1 hour ago

New Delhi: has stepped down as the head coach of ahead of IPL 2027, the franchise announced on Saturday, October 17. The decision marks the end of a ten-season stint, during which Jayawardene guided MI to three of their five IPL titles in 2017, 2019 and 2020.

He first became MI head coach ahead of IPL 2027, and stayed in the role until the 2022 season. The former Sri Lankan cricketer was then promoted to the post of Global Head of Performance as the franchise expanded its footprint across overseas leagues.

After a forgettable 2024 season, Jayawardene returned to the head coach role, replacing Mark Boucher ahead of IPL 2025, where MI reached to Qualifier 2. However, the 2026 season proved to be a disappointing one, as they finished second from the bottom on the table.

“Mahela has made a significant contribution to Mumbai Indians over the years. His calm leadership, integrity and deep love for the game have meant so much to us. On behalf of the entire MI family, I want to thank Mahela for his immense contribution and unwavering commitment over the years. We will always cherish the journey we have shared and the memories we have created together,” team owner Nita Ambani said.

‘I will always treasure this experience’: Jayawardene

Jayawardene said that the franchise has always been a very special part of his journey for more than a decade, and he will always treasure this experience.

“Mumbai Indians has been a very special part of my journey for over a decade now. The players, coaching team, the incredible support of the #OneFamily and above all the fans have made this an experience I will always treasure,” Mahela said in a statement.

His exit from the franchise now leaves the MI ownership with a crucial decision to make as they prepare for the 2027 IPL season. They need to find the right coaching structure for a side that has struggled to challenge for the title since 2020.

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