October 13, 2024: Mumbai Indians (MI) have officially announced the return of Mahela Jayawardene as their head coach for the upcoming season. Jayawardene, who previously held the position from 2017 to 2022, is stepping back into the role, replacing South African coach Mark Boucher.
Akash Ambani, owner of Mumbai Indians, expressed his excitement about Jayawardene’s return: “We are thrilled to have Mahela back as the Head Coach of Mumbai Indians. With our global teams having found their footing within their ecosystems, the opportunity to bring him back to MI arose. His leadership, knowledge, and passion for the game have always benefited MI. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mark Boucher for his contribution over the last two seasons.”
Jayawardene, reflecting on his journey with MI, said: “My journey within the MI family has always been one of evolution. In 2017, the focus was on bringing together a talented group of individuals to play the best cricket ever and we did very well. Now to return, at the same moment in history, where we look ahead at the future and the opportunity to further strengthen the love of MI, build on the vision of the owners, and continue to add to the history of Mumbai Indians, is an exciting challenge I am looking forward to.”
In 2022, Jayawardene transitioned to the role of Global Head of Cricket for MI, overseeing the expansion of MI’s global teams across multiple leagues. His leadership contributed to trophies across various competitions, with successes for MI’s teams in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Major League Cricket (MI NY), and International League T20 (MIE).
Mumbai Indians have always been a dominant force in the IPL, boasting five IPL titles. Beyond IPL, MI has expanded to become a global cricketing powerhouse, with five T20 teams across continents, including the women’s team in WPL and franchises in South Africa, the UAE, and the US.
However, despite MI’s rich history, the last IPL season was underwhelming, with the team finishing near the bottom of the table, managing just four wins out of 14 matches.
Jayawardene’s return signals a renewed hope for MI as they look to reclaim their glory and continue expanding their influence in global cricket.
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