Mahela Jayawardene Parts Ways with Mumbai Indians Ahead of IPL 2027 Auction

New Delhi, Oct 17 : Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians will enter the IPL 2027 auction in search of a new head coach after Mahela Jayawardene and the franchise mutually decided to part ways following two underwhelming seasons.

The development marks the end of the former Sri Lanka captain's second stint as Mumbai's head coach, which began ahead of the 2025 season. His departure comes after Mumbai endured a disappointing IPL 2026 campaign, finishing ninth in the standings with just four wins from 14 matches.

Mumbai had reached Qualifier 2 in 2025 but failed to maintain that momentum in the following season, prompting the franchise to reassess its plans ahead of the next campaign.

Confirming the separation, Jayawardene described Mumbai Indians as a special part of his professional journey, highlighting his association with the franchise spanning more than a decade.

"Mumbai Indians has been a very special part of my journey for over a decade now," Jayawardene said in a statement released by the franchise.

He thanked the players, coaching staff, fans and franchise owners Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani for their continued trust and support, adding that he would always cherish his time with the team.

Jayawardene first took charge of Mumbai Indians in 2017 and guided the side to three IPL titles before stepping down as head coach in 2022. He subsequently served as the franchise's global head of performance from 2022 to 2024, overseeing its teams in other competitions, including MI Emirates in the ILT20, MI New York in Major League Cricket and MI Cape Town in the SA20.

He returned to the Mumbai dugout ahead of IPL 2025, replacing Mark Boucher. However, his second stint did not replicate the success of his earlier tenure, with Mumbai finishing fourth in 2025 before slipping to ninth in 2026.

The coaching change also comes amid speculation surrounding captain Hardik Pandya's future with the franchise. Mumbai's disappointing performance in the previous season fuelled discussions about a possible trade involving the all-rounder.

Pandya scored 206 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 138.25, with a highest score of 40, and claimed four wickets in 10 matches. His individual performance, alongside the team's overall results, is expected to feature in Mumbai's broader review ahead of the next season.

Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani thanked Jayawardene for his contribution to the franchise and said he would continue to remain part of the extended MI family.

"Mahela has made a significant contribution to Mumbai Indians over the years," Ambani said, praising his calm leadership, integrity and passion for the game. She also wished him success in his future endeavours.

With the IPL retention deadline scheduled for November 15, Mumbai have limited time to finalise their coaching arrangements and assess their squad ahead of the auction, which is expected to take place in Goa around a month later.

Mumbai's last IPL title came in 2020, when the franchise became the first team to successfully defend the championship. Both title-winning campaigns under Jayawardene came during his first stint as head coach.

The franchise will now look for a fresh beginning as it seeks to return to winning ways after two disappointing seasons.