Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has stepped down as head coach of Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Mumbai-based franchise released an official statement on Saturday morning to confirm Jayawardene’s exit. He is the most successful coach in MI’s IPL history, having guided the team to three IPL titles in 2017, 2019 and 2020 under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy.
According to Mumbai Indians, Jayawardene was much more than a head coach to the franchise. Across his two stints, from 2017 to 2022 and again from 2024 to 2026, he played a defining role in shaping the franchise’s culture, fostering a strong team environment and championing an approach rooted in discipline, collaboration and a team-first ethos.
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Mahela has been much more than a Head Coach to Mumbai Indians. Under his leadership as Head Coach, Mumbai Indians won 3 IPL titles.
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— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) October 17, 2026
Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani thanked the former Punjab Kings and Kochi Tuskers Kerala player for his contribution as head coach.
“Mahela has made a significant contribution to Mumbai Indians over the years. His calm leadership, integrity and deep love for the game have meant so much to us. On behalf of the entire MI family, I want 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 be a part of our #OneFamily, and we wish him every happiness and success in the journey ahead.”
Meanwhile, Jayawardene said that Mumbai Indians had been a very special part of his journey. He thanked the franchise’s owners for their unwavering trust, support and friendship over the years and said he would always treasure his experience with MI.
“Mumbai Indians has been a very special part of my journey for over a decade now. The players, coaching team, the incredible support of the #OneFamily and above all the fans have made this an experience I will always treasure. Together, we have shared some unforgettable moments, overcome challenges and built 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 the years. I leave with immense pride in what we have achieved together and will always carry a special place in my heart for MI. I wish the team every success in the years ahead.”
After leaving his role as MI head coach in 2022, Jayawardene passed the baton to Mark Boucher and took on the role of Global Head of Performance. In that position, he oversaw the expansion of the MI franchise across global leagues and worked closely with coaching teams to establish a shared cricketing philosophy across the One Family.
During that period, Mumbai Indians Women, MI New York and MI Emirates each went on to win a title, adding to the franchise’s growing global legacy.
