Mahela Jayawardene steps down as Mumbai Indians head coach

Mumbai Indians have announced that Mahela Jayawardene has stepped down as head coach, closing the curtain on a second stint that lasted just two seasons and ending a near-decade association with the five-time IPL champions.

The franchise confirmed the decision on Saturday. Jayawardene had returned as head coach ahead of the 2025 season, replacing Mark Boucher, after previously holding the role from 2017 to 2022 and serving as the franchise’s global head of performance from 2022 to 2024 — a position in which he also oversaw MI’s sister sides in the ILT20, MLC and SA20.

The results across the two tenures tell sharply different stories. In his first spell, Jayawardene guided Mumbai to three IPL titles. The second stint never found the same rhythm: MI finished fourth in 2025, falling in Qualifier 2, and then ninth in 2026.

“Mumbai Indians has been a very special part of my journey for over a decade now,” Jayawardene said in the franchise statement, thanking Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani for “their unwavering trust, support and friendship over the years” and saying he leaves “with immense pride in what we have achieved together.”

Owner Nita Ambani praised his “calm leadership, integrity and deep love for the game,” adding: “Mahela will always be a part of our #OneFamily, and we wish him every happiness and success in the journey ahead.”

Mumbai must now find a head coach quickly. The IPL retention deadline falls on November 15, and the auction is expected around mid-December in Goa. The franchise last lifted the trophy in 2020 — champions in back-to-back seasons, both under Jayawardene.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo, The Hindu, Indian Express