Mahela Jayawardene concludes collaboration with Mumbai Indians after ten years of work

Mumbai Indians and Mahela Jayawardene have mutually agreed to end their partnership as head coach. The five-time Indian Premier League champions are preparing for a change in management before the start of the next season.

This decision followed a disappointing 2026 season, in which the franchise managed only four wins. The season's difficulties were attributed to injuries, player availability issues, and reports of tension in the dressing room.

According to available information, the franchise has already compiled a list of several candidates for this position, and interviews are expected to take place next week. It is likely that Jayawardene will not continue collaborating with Mumbai Indians in any other role.

Coaching History

This departure concludes a period of coaching activity during which three IPL titles were won, establishing Jayawardene as one of the most successful figures in the franchise's history. He first led the team in 2017, guiding Mumbai to championships in 2017, 2019, and 2020, including two consecutive titles in the last two seasons.

After leaving the head coach position, the former Sri Lankan captain served as the Global Head of Performance for Mumbai Indians from 2022 to 2024, overseeing the work of coaches, scouting, and strategic planning across all the franchise's international teams. In 2024, he returned to the head coach role on a two-plus-one year contract. In 2025, Mumbai made it to the playoffs, but in 2026, they dropped to ninth place.

Commenting on his collaboration with the franchise, Jayawardene highlighted the relationships and achievements that defined his time with the organization.

He stated: "Mumbai Indians was a very important part of my journey over more than ten years. The players, the coaching staff, the incredible support of #OneFamily, and above all, the fans made this experience, which I will always cherish. Together we experienced unforgettable moments, overcame difficulties, and created something we can all be proud of. I want to sincerely thank Mrs. Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani for their unwavering trust, support, and friendship over many years. I leave with immense pride for what we achieved together, and I will always hold a special place in my heart for MI. I wish the team all the best in the coming years."

The owner of Mumbai Indians, Nita M. Ambani, also acknowledged Jayawardene's contribution, expressing gratitude for his leadership and long-standing collaboration with the franchise.

She noted: "Mahela made a significant contribution to Mumbai Indians over many years. His calm leadership, honesty, and deep love for the game mean a lot to us. On behalf of the entire MI family, I want to thank Mahela for his huge contribution and unwavering dedication over many years. We will always cherish the journey together and the memories we created. Mahela will always be part of our #OneFamily, and we wish him happiness and success on his path forward."

New Chapter

As a new coach is soon to be appointed, Mumbai Indians is preparing to enter its next IPL cycle with a new direction, aiming to return to the title race.

Former explosive all-rounder of the Indian team Yuvraj Singh has started a new chapter in his coaching career. For the new IPL season, Yuvraj Singh has been appointed as an assistant and batting coach for the Delhi Capitals team.

With this appointment, the old duo with Saurabh Ganguly will be back on the field. Although Yuvraj Singh previously played for Delhi, this time he joins the team in a new role. Yuvraj Singh, who was a hero of India's victories in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup, is starting his coaching career in the IPL with this franchise. Yuvraj has long-standing ties with the Delhi franchise.

Previously, in 2015, Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils) acquired Yuvraj Singh for a record 16 crore. After such a high price, he became the most expensive player in IPL history.

Expressing joy about this new position, Yuvraj stated that he is very excited about starting a new chapter in his life with Delhi Capitals. He noted that he has long-standing connections with the franchise and knows the owners well, which makes this opportunity special. He also added that he looks forward to working as a coach alongside Dada (Saurabh Ganguly).

Despite this being Yuvraj's first experience as a coach in any franchise, he has recently mentored several young and rising Indian batsmen, such as Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill. His interaction with Abhishek Sharma, who gained particular fame in the T20 format due to his aggressive playing style, was particularly noticeable.

The Delhi Capitals team has not won any IPL titles yet, and after becoming runners-up in 2020, the team aims to win the trophy in the upcoming season. The addition of Yuvraj Singh to the coaching staff, following Saurabh Ganguly's appointment as head coach, is considered a significant step for the team.

The Indian team, composed of IPL stars and captained by experienced fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, will participate in the upcoming Hong Kong Sixes tournament, scheduled from October 30 to November 1. For this dynamic six-player format, India has assembled an impressive blend of international experience and potent attacking capability.

The squad includes Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Krunal Pandya, Shashank Singh, Rahul Tewatia, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, and T. Natarajan. With the exception of Shashank Singh, all other players have represented India at the international level.

Since only six players are on the field simultaneously in the Hong Kong Sixes, batsmen have little time to build an innings. This is why the team included players capable of drastically changing the course of a match in a short number of overs.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be responsible for troubling the opposition batsmen with new ball bowling, relying on his extensive experience both internationally and in the IPL. Krunal Pandya is a useful all-rounder, capable of contributing to both batting and bowling. Nitish Rana's aggressive style will provide the team with a quick start at the top order, while Shashank Singh and Rahul Tewatia can make a significant impact as finishers in a short time. Rahul Tripathi is known for his aggressive play, and left-arm pacer T. Natarajan adds variety to the team's attacking line-up.

Anarag Bhatnagar, Marketing and Commercial Director of Cricket Hong Kong, expressed delight over the selection of the Indian team, noting that it was formed with the support of Indian cricket officials. He called this team one of the strongest in the history of the Hong Kong Sixes and expressed hope that this would positively affect the tournament's viewership.

India participated in the Hong Kong Sixes last year. They started their campaign with a two-run victory by DLS system against Pakistan but were subsequently eliminated after a series of defeats. This time, the team enters with the intention of achieving a better result.

Pakistan will compete in the 2026 season as the reigning champion. They won the title last year, defeating Kuwait, who made their debut in the final. This marked Pakistan's sixth title in the Hong Kong Sixes.

Eight leading cricketing nations, along with four affiliated members, will participate in the tournament this year. The three-day match will take place at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong, where exciting cricket with many fours and sixes is expected in this short format.