Mahela Jayawardene returns as Mumbai Indians head coach ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction

Sri Lankan batting legend Mahela Jayawardene is set to return as Mumbai Indians head coach in the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The franchise confirmed the news on Sunday which marked the end of Mark Boucher’s run as head coach after two seasons in charge.

The former Sri Lanka captain enjoyed a successful, trophy-laden run in the role between 2017 and 2022, during which MI won three titles including back-to-back triumphs in 2019 and 2020.

Jayawardene had stepped down from the role at the end of the 15th season after which he was appointed the franchise’s ‘Global Head of Cricket’ in order to oversee its expansion into other T20 leagues across the world.

More from First Cricket News

India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Match LIVE Updates: Amid boycott call, Men In Blue get ready to face arch-rivals in Dubai BCCI defends decision to play vs Pakistan in Asia Cup months after Pahalgam attack: 'If we boycott...'

“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,” Jayawardene said in a released shared by the franchise on Sunday.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

'Won't require surgery...': Real reason behind Jasprit Bumrah's absence from 5th Test revealed in new report

PCB bans players from WCL over India-Pakistan match controversy

The five-time champions had appointed Boucher as Jayawardene’s replacement for the role, with the legendary South African wicketkeeper  having previously coached the Proteas between 2019 and 2022.

“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. His expertise and dedication were pivotal during his time, and has now become an integral member of the MI family,” MI owner Akash Ambani said in the release.

📰 Mumbai Indians Welcome back Mahela Jayawardene as Head Coach 👨🏻‍🏫

Read more on Mahela’s return as our head coach: https://t.co/QzwnonZJVu#MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians | @MahelaJay pic.twitter.com/fq6AZWjUOL

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) October 13, 2024

During Boucher’s reign as head coach, MI reached the playoffs of the 2023 edition, going as far as Qualifier 2 before getting knocked out by then-defending champions Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. It would be senior opener Rohit Sharma’s final season in charge of the franchise as MI would rope in all-rounder Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans later in 2023 and name him the new captain.

Pandya, who had signed with GT ahead of their debut in 2022 after seven seasons in Mumbai, had a disappointing maiden season as MI captain with the team finishing at the bottom of the 10-team table.

One of the key responsibilities for Jayawardene after returning to the role of head coach will be to finalise the team’s auction strategy, including deciding on their retentions and the players they would like to buy back in the upcoming mega auction using Right to Match (RTM) cards.