Mumbai Indians Opt For Complete Revamp, Part Ways With Lasith Malinga Ahead Of IPL 2027

Just days after appointing a new head coach, Mumbai Indians have moved towards a complete revamp of their coaching staff ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 season. The five-time champions recently appointed Kieron Pollard as their new head coach, a position that became vacant after Mahela Jayawardene stepped down earlier this month. With the former West Indies all-rounder set to take on his new role, the franchise has also announced the departures of Lasith Malinga, Paras Mhambrey and Carl Hopkinson from their respective coaching positions.

Malinga and Mhambrey served as the pace and spin bowling coaches, respectively, while Hopkinson was Mumbai Indians' fielding coach. The exits of all three coaches signal a major overhaul of the five-time IPL champions' backroom staff.

"Mumbai Indians today announced that Lasith Malinga, Paras Mhambrey and Carl Hopkinson will be moving on from their respective roles in the men's team coaching setup, thanking each of them for their commitment, contribution and service to the franchise. Mumbai Indians extend their heartfelt gratitude to Lasith, Paras and Carl for their contributions to the team and the wider MI family," wrote MI in an official statement.

"Their commitment, the relationships they have built and the memories they have helped create will always be part of our journey. We wish each of them the very best in their future endeavours," stated further.

The departures mark the end of a long association for Malinga, regarded as one of the most iconic figures in MI's history. The Sri Lankan fast bowling great led the franchise's bowling attack during four of its IPL title wins and the 2011 Champions League T20 triumph before returning as a mentor and coach.

Malinga had returned to Mumbai Indians as a fast-bowling coach ahead of IPL 2024 and took over from Shane Bond, who had held the role for nine seasons. After retiring in 2021, he spent two seasons as Rajasthan Royals' fast-bowling coach.

It was Malinga's second stint in MI's support staff - having served as mentor in 2018 before returning to the field the following year to share the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah as the side won their fourth IPL title.

Mhambrey, the former India pacer, served the franchise across two spells, first from 2010 to 2017 and again ahead of the 2025 season. Mhambrey was India's bowling coach from November 2021 to July 2024, a stint that included the T20 World Cup triumph in the West Indies.

In his first spell as a coach with MI, Mhambrey was part of the side that won the IPL in 2013 and the Champions League T20 in 2011 and 2013, apart from being the bowling coach of MI Emirates in the UAE's ILT20 tournament. Former England fielding coach Hopkinson joined MI ahead of the 2025 season and was tasked with raising the team's fielding standards.

(With IANS Inputs)

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