Mumbai Indians (MI), five-time IPL champions, on Thursday, 29 October 2026, confirmed that bowling coaches Lasith Malinga and Paras Mhambrey, along with fielding coach Carl Hopkinson, are departing the men's team support staff ahead of IPL 2027. The exits follow Kieron Pollard's appointment as head coach after Mahela Jayawardene stepped down, signalling a broader reset of the franchise's backroom structure.

What the Franchise Said

Mumbai Indians issued a warm farewell statement acknowledging all three outgoing coaches. 'Mumbai Indians extend their heartfelt gratitude to Lasith, Paras and Carl for their contributions to the team and the wider MI family. Their commitment, the relationships they have built and the memories they have helped create will always be part of our journey. We wish each of them the very best in their future endeavours,' the franchise said.

Malinga's Legacy at MI

Lasith Malinga's departure ends one of the most storied associations in IPL history. The Sri Lankan fast-bowling great was central to four of MI's IPL title wins and the 2011 Champions League T20 triumph as a player. After retiring in 2021, he spent two seasons as a fast-bowling coach with Rajasthan Royals before returning to MI ahead of IPL 2024, taking over from Shane Bond, who had held the role for nine seasons. This marks Malinga's second stint in MI's support staff — he had previously served as a mentor in 2018 before returning to the field in 2019, sharing the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah as the side claimed their fourth IPL title.

Mhambrey's Two Spells and India Tenure

Former India pacer Paras Mhambrey served MI across two separate stints — first from 2010 to 2017 and again from the 2025 season. During his initial spell, he was part of MI's coaching unit that lifted the IPL in 2013 and the Champions League T20 in 2011 and 2013. He also worked as bowling coach for MI Emirates in the UAE's ILT20 tournament. Between stints at MI, Mhambrey served as India's bowling coach from November 2021 to July 2024, a tenure that included the team's T20 World Cup triumph in the West Indies.

Hopkinson's Brief but Purposeful Run

Former England fielding coach Carl Hopkinson joined MI ahead of the 2025 season with a specific mandate to raise the franchise's fielding standards. His departure after a single full season indicates the new coaching leadership under Pollard may have a different vision for the support staff mix.

What This Means for MI's IPL 2027 Preparations

The simultaneous exit of three experienced coaches leaves significant vacancies in MI's backroom as the franchise builds around Pollard's leadership philosophy. This comes amid a broader trend of IPL teams refreshing their support staff between mega-cycles. MI will need to identify replacements swiftly, given that pre-season camps and auction strategy typically begin months before the tournament. All eyes will be on who Pollard brings in to round out his unit.