Kieron Pollard named Mumbai Indians head coach in place of Jayawardene

Mumbai Indians have handed their dugout to one of their own. Kieron Pollard, who spent 13 seasons as the franchise’s big-hitting finisher and the past four as its batting coach, was named head coach on Saturday ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League.

He replaces Mahela Jayawardene, whose departure the franchise confirmed on 17 October, ending a decade-long association with the five-time champions.

“Mumbai Indians are pleased to announce the elevation of Kieron Pollard to Head Coach,” the franchise said in its statement.

One of their own

Pollard, now 39, joined Mumbai as a player in 2010 and stayed for his entire IPL career. He played 189 matches for them, scoring 3,412 runs and taking 69 wickets, and was part of all five title wins, in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. When he retired as a player in November 2022, he moved straight into the batting coach’s role while continuing to play for MI Emirates in the UAE.

“It is an honour to take on the role of Head Coach of Mumbai Indians,” Pollard said. “MI has been a huge part of my life and career.” He said he was looking forward to “working closely with the players and support staff”.

Nita Ambani, the team’s owner, pointed to his long ties with the side. “Polly knows what it means to wear the MI jersey and what it takes to play for the Paltan,” she said.

What he inherits

The appointment comes at an awkward moment. Mumbai have not won the title since 2020 and have missed the playoffs in four of the six seasons since. Jayawardene, who coached them to three titles in his first spell from 2017 to 2022, had moved into a global performance role before returning as head coach in 2024. His second stint ended after a ninth-place finish.

Pollard’s name had been the obvious one since Jayawardene went. James Pamment, Mumbai’s former fielding coach, said this week that he had been “a little shocked” by Jayawardene’s exit and that Pollard stood out among the candidates, provided he felt ready for the job.

A short runway

There is little time to settle in. Franchises must finalise their retentions within the next few weeks, before the mini auction in Goa on 16 December. Pollard’s first big decisions will be about which players to keep and which gaps to fill.

Mumbai are not the only side with a new man in charge. Zaheer Khan has taken over as head coach of Chennai Super Kings after Stephen Fleming’s departure, and earlier this month Delhi Capitals brought in Sourav Ganguly. Pollard joins them as a first-time IPL head coach, though few people know the Mumbai dressing room better.