Mumbai, 17 October (H.S.): Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has stepped down as head coach of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians, bringing his decade-long association with the team to an end ahead of the 2027 season. Jayawardene served as head coach during his second stint from 2024 to 2026, having previously held the position from 2017 to 2022. During his tenure, Mumbai Indians won three IPL titles.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Mumbai Indians announced, “Mumbai Indians today announced that Mahela Jayawardene is stepping down as head coach. This brings to a close his decade-long association with the ‘One Family’.”

The franchise said Jayawardene had played a significant role during both his tenures in shaping the team’s culture and building a strong environment founded on discipline, collaboration and the principle of putting the team above individual interests.

Mumbai Indians stated, “Across his two tenures in the role, from 2017 to 2022 and again from 2024 to 2026, he played a defining role in shaping the franchise’s culture, building a strong environment within the team and fostering a mindset centred on discipline, collaboration and putting the team first.”

Jayawardene Thanks Players, Support Staff and Fans

Reflecting on his departure, Jayawardene described his association with Mumbai Indians as a special journey in his life. He expressed gratitude to the players, coaching staff, fans and franchise owners Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani for their trust and support. He also expressed pride in the team’s achievements and extended his best wishes for its future.

Jayawardene said, “Mumbai Indians has been a very special part of my journey for more than a decade. The players, the coaching team, the incredible support of the ‘One Family’ and, above all, the fans have made this an experience I will always cherish. Together, we have shared many unforgettable moments, faced challenges and built something we can all be proud of. I would like to sincerely thank Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani for their unwavering trust, support and friendship over the years. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together. Mumbai Indians will always hold a special place in my heart. I wish the team every success in the years ahead.”

Nita Ambani Praises Jayawardene’s Contribution

Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani praised Jayawardene’s leadership, integrity and dedication to the sport, saying that he would always remain a part of the franchise family.

Nita Ambani said, “Mahela has made a significant contribution to Mumbai Indians over the past several years. His calm leadership, integrity and deep love for the game have meant a great deal to us. On behalf of the entire Mumbai Indians team, I would like 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. Mahela will always remain a part of our ‘One Family’, and we wish him every happiness and success in the journey ahead.”

In 2022, Jayawardene took on the role of Global Head of Performance for Mumbai Indians. In this capacity, he oversaw the franchise’s expansion across various international leagues and worked closely with coaching teams to develop a common cricketing philosophy for all Mumbai Indians sides.

During this period, the Mumbai Indians women’s team, MI New York and MI Emirates won titles in their respective tournaments. These achievements further strengthened the Mumbai Indians franchise’s presence and identity in global cricket.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar