IPL 2027A phase of transition continues for two of the most successful teams in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Following a string of failures and poor performances over the last few seasons, both Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians each a five-time champion have completely overhauled their coaching staff.
Chennai has already announced its new head coach and support staff. Following suit, Mumbai Indians (MI) have also taken a major step; after appointing Caribbean legend Kieron Pollard as head coach, the franchise has brought on former Indian batter Robin Uthappa as batting coach. Additionally, they have appointed two bowling coaches and a fielding coach.
While no decision has yet been made regarding the current captain, Hardik Pandya, the coaching staff of the Mumbai Indians who last won the IPL title in 2020 has been completely overhauled.
Mumbai Indians replaced head coach Mahela Jayawardene with their own legendary all-rounder, Kieron Pollard. Following this, the decision was also taken to part ways with experienced support staff members such as Lasith Malinga and Paras Mhambrey; just a day later, the Mumbai Indians announced their new coaching staff.
Mumbai Indians have appointed Robin Uthappa as batting coach
The most notable announcement concerns Robin Uthappa, who made his IPL debut with the Mumbai Indians in 2008. Although he spent only one season with the franchise, he has now returned after 18 years. In that inaugural season with Mumbai, Uthappa scored 320 runs across 14 matches.
Subsequently, he played for various teams, including Bengaluru, Pune, Kolkata, Rajasthan, and Chennai. During this period, Uthappa won the IPL title with Kolkata in 2014 a season in which he also secured the Orange Cap and again with Chennai in 2021. He will now be tasked with strengthening Mumbai’s batting lineup.
Uthappa is not the only former Mumbai Indians star to return in a coaching capacity; two others have also rejoined the franchise, both as bowling coaches. Among them is former New Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan, who was with Mumbai from 2015 to 2019, taking 71 wickets in 56 matches and winning three IPL titles with the team. McClenaghan has been appointed as a bowling coach.
Additionally, experienced Indian fast bowler Dhawal Kulkarni has joined the Mumbai Indians' support staff. Having previously served as a net bowler for the team in recent seasons, Kulkarni who hails from Mumbai was part of the MI squad from 2008 to 2013 and again from 2020 to 2021. He claimed 36 wickets for the franchise and was a member of two title-winning squads. He has been appointed as a development bowling coach.
