Kieron Pollard named Mumbai Indians head coach for IPL 2027, replacing Mahela Jayawardene

Kieron Pollard is the new head coach of Mumbai Indians for the 2027 Indian Premier League season, the franchise announced on Saturday 24 October 2026, replacing Mahela Jayawardene, who left the club the week before, Reuters reported via Business Recorder. ESPNcricinfo also carried the appointment.

Key facts

• New coach: Kieron Pollard, 39, for IPL 2027
• Replaces: Mahela Jayawardene, who left a week earlier
• Previous role: Mumbai Indians batting coach
• Record as player: five IPL titles with MI (2013 to 2020), 2012 T20 World Cup

From batting coach to the top job

Pollard, 39, was Mumbai's batting coach under Jayawardene and now takes charge of the whole set-up. As a player he was part of all five Mumbai Indians IPL titles between 2013 and 2020, and he won the 2012 T20 World Cup with the West Indies.

Why Mumbai changed

Mumbai remain the joint most successful IPL side with five titles, but they have not won since 2020 and have missed the playoffs in four of the last six seasons. Promoting a club legend who knows the dressing room is the franchise's answer.

Mumbai have not yet named a new batting coach.

The Pakistan connection

Pollard is no stranger to Pakistani fans: he has played several Pakistan Super League seasons, and his big hitting made him a crowd favourite here. Our PSL 2026 schedule and results page keeps last season's record.

IPL 2027 is expected in the spring. Pakistani players are not part of the IPL, but the league is among the most watched cricket in Pakistan through streaming.