Mumbai Indians have announced a significant restructuring of their support staff following a disappointing campaign, parting ways with bowling coaches Lasith Malinga and Paras Mhambrey alongside fielding coach Carl Hopkinson. The high-profile departures come just weeks after the five-time Indian Premier League champions also replaced their head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, handing the reins of the team to former captain and veteran all-rounder Kieron Pollard earlier this month.
The latest moves underline a period of intense introspection and transition for the franchise, which has struggled to replicate the championship-winning dominance of its past. As the team seeks to rebuild and reshape its fortunes ahead of future seasons, Mumbai Indians have not yet announced official replacements for Malinga, Mhambrey, or Hopkinson.
The restructuring affects key departments of the coaching setup, touching upon both bowling and fielding strategies that are critical to success in the fiercely competitive Twenty20 landscape. Lasith Malinga, one of the most iconic figures in the history of the franchise and the broader Indian Premier League, had originally joined the Mumbai Indians coaching staff in October 2023 ahead of the 2024 season. Malinga’s association with Mumbai Indians stretches back to his illustrious playing days, where his legendary bowling performances, signature sling-arm action, and mastery of death-over bowling formed the cornerstone of the franchise’s multiple championship titles. Transitioning into a mentoring and coaching role, Malinga was expected to pass on his invaluable wealth of experience to the younger generation of fast bowlers within the squad.
Joining Malinga in the departure lounge is Paras Mhambrey, who came on board ahead of the 2025 season. The appointment marked Mhambrey’s second stint with the Mumbai Indians franchise, having previously served a lengthy and successful tenure with the team from 2010 to 2017. During his first stint, Mhambrey played a pivotal role in scouting and nurturing domestic talent, helping establish the robust talent pipeline that became the hallmark of the Mumbai Indians organization. His return for the 2025 season was viewed as a homecoming that would stabilize the coaching group, but the team’s subsequent on-field struggles have prompted a fresh evaluation of the support structure.
Carl Hopkinson also departs from his position as the team’s fielding coach, having joined the franchise ahead of the 2025 season. Hopkinson’s work focused on tightening ground fielding, catching efficiency, and athletic agility—areas that face intense scrutiny in modern T20 cricket where every run saved can alter the outcome of a match.
The franchise acknowledged the contributions of the departing trio through a formal statement released by the organization, expressing appreciation for their dedication during their time with the team. "Mumbai Indians extend their heartfelt gratitude to Lasith, Paras and Carl for their contributions to the team and the wider MI family," the franchise said in the statement. "Their commitment, the relationships they have built and the memories they have helped create will always be part of our journey."
These sweeping coaching changes follow a difficult period for the franchise on the field. Mumbai Indians hold a storied legacy as one of the most successful teams in the history of the Indian Premier League, securing the championship trophy five times in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020, thereby becoming the first franchise in the tournament’s history to reach the milestone of five titles. However, the subsequent years have tested the patience of the team’s management and fan base alike.
Despite boasting star-studded rosters featuring some of the biggest names in international cricket, Mumbai Indians have failed to qualify for the tournament final in the last six consecutive seasons. The downward trend culminated in a particularly challenging campaign in IPL 2026, where the team finished ninth out of ten participating teams. Such a lowly finish is an unfamiliar position for a franchise accustomed to regular appearances in the playoffs and title clashes, prompting the leadership to initiate a comprehensive overhaul of the team’s strategic and coaching hierarchy.
With Kieron Pollard now leading the coaching staff as head coach and three prominent assistant coaches departing simultaneously, Mumbai Indians face a crucial transitional phase. The front office will need to work swiftly and decisively to identify and recruit new personnel to fill the vacancies left by Malinga, Mhambrey, and Hopkinson. As the franchise prepares for the challenges of upcoming seasons, the focus will squarely remain on rebuilding a cohesive coaching unit capable of guiding the team back to its winning ways and restoring the competitive edge that once defined the Mumbai Indians brand in the Indian Premier League.
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