The Mumbai Indians’ head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, has stepped down, the IPL team said on Saturday. Jayawardene was MI’s head coach for the past two seasons, his second spell in that role. He previously held the job from 2017 until 2022.”The Mumbai Indians have been a very special part of my journey for over a decade,” Jayawardene said in a MI statement.
“The players, coaching staff, great support from the #OneFamily, and, most importantly, the fans have made this an experience I will always remember. We have experienced amazing experiences, overcome hurdles, and created something we can all be proud of. I’d want to respectfully thank Mrs. Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani for their unfailing trust, support, and friendship over the years. I leave with great pleasure in what we’ve accomplished together and will always have a soft spot in my heart for MI. I wish the team much success in the years ahead.
Jayawardene succeeded Mark Boucher as MI’s head coach prior to the 2025 IPL season. Jayawardene previously worked as their global head of performance from 2022 to 2024. In that role, Jayawardene oversaw MI’s three other franchises: MI Emirates in the ILT20, MI New York in the MLC, and MI Cape Town in the SA20.
Jayawardene won three IPL titles during his debut season as head coach. MI finished fourth on the league table in 2025, but lost in Qualifier 2, and ranked ninth in 2026.Mahela has made a huge contribution to the Mumbai Indians throughout the years,” MI owner Nita Ambani said, “His calm leadership, integrity, and profound love for the game have meant so much to us.
On behalf of the entire MI family, I’d want to thank Mahela for his tremendous contributions and persistent commitment over the years. We will always treasure the adventure we have taken and the memories we have made together. Mahela will always remain a member of our #OneFamily, and we wish him happiness and success on his road ahead.
MI now needs to find a head coach with less than a month till the IPL retention deadline of November 15. The IPL auction is scheduled for around a month later in Goa.
MI last won the IPL in 2020, becoming the first team to successfully defend its championship. Jayawardene won both trophies.
Also Read : Kuldeep Yadav Gets Mohammad Kaif’s Support for 5th T20I Comeback
Jayawardene’s departure puts MI’s team management in a difficult situation, with captain Hardik Pandya also under scrutiny following their second-to-last result in IPL 2026. Not long after MI finished with just four wins in 14 games, rumors of a Hardik trade began to circulate in publications and on social media. Hardik’s individual performance did not give much confidence either: he took only four wickets in ten games and scored 206 runs in ten innings, striking at 138.25 with a best score of 40.
