Ahead of IPL 2025, Mumbai Indians once again welcomed former Sri Lanka batter & skipper Mahela Jayawardene as coach.
On Sunday, 13th October, Mumbai Indians appointed legendary batter Mahela Jayawardene as a head coach. This will be the second stint of Jayawardene as MI head coach as he already served the franchise from 2017 to 2022.
๐๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ฒ๐๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ง๐. ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐๐๐ก. ๐๐๐๐ค ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐จ๐๐๐ข๐๐ ๐#MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians | @MahelaJay pic.twitter.com/SajRfzLYkQ
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) October 13, 2024
Mahela Jayawardene MI’s new head coach said, โMy 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.โ
According to Mr. Akash Ambani, Co-Owner of MI, the franchise wanted to focus on other global teams as well including MI (WPL), MI NYC (Major Cricket League), and MIE (ILT20).
He said in an interview, โWe 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 aroseโฆโ ย
In 2022, MI announced Mahela as a Global Head of Cricket and shared his knowledge with expanding MIโs family working with the coaching staff in other domestic leagues.
47-year-old Mahela Jayawardene replaced Mark Boucher as he replaced him in 2022 after he left for the South African Team. Akash Ambani also thanked Mr. Mark Boucher for his services.
Akash Ambani continued, โ 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.โ
Under Boucher’s guidance, Mumbai Indians improvised in many areas but failed to deliver the trophy. And after last yearโs dreadful result, the franchise once again returned with their Jayawardene.
