Kieron Pollard named Mumbai Indians head coach, replaces Mahela Jayawardene

Mumbai Indians on Saturday, October 24, named Kieron Pollard as their new head coach ahead of IPL 2027. The former West Indies captain, who has been MI’s batting coach since he stopped playing in the IPL, takes over from Mahela Jayawardene, whose exit from the franchise was announced last week.

It is Pollard’s first job as a head coach. The 39-year-old is still active as a player in franchise leagues: he turned out for MI New York in Major League Cricket and Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL this year, and was signed by Joburg Super Kings at the SA20 auction earlier this month, Cricbuzz reported.

The franchise announced the move on X. “Mumbai Indians elevate Kieron Pollard as Head Coach,” the post said. “A defining figure in MI's success, the remarkable 16-year association of Kieron Pollard within the #OneFamily enters a new chapter.”

“MI has been a huge part of my life and career, and the bond I share with this team, the players and the Paltan means a great deal to me. Having experienced this journey as a player and then as a coach, I understand what Mumbai Indians stands for and the responsibility that comes with representing the Blue and Gold,” Pollard said in the team’s statement.

Team owner Nita Ambani said Pollard had joined MI “as a young 22-year-old” and had become an integral part of the family over the past sixteen years. “Polly knows what it means to wear the MI jersey and what it takes to play for the Paltan. I am confident that he will bring the same commitment, belief and determination to this role,” she said.

Pollard was first signed by MI ahead of the 2010 season and was part of all five of the team’s IPL titles, in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020, as well as its Champions League T20 wins in 2011 and 2013. He played 189 IPL matches, scoring 3,412 runs at a strike rate of 147.32 and taking 69 wickets, according to Cricbuzz.

He takes charge of a side in its longest title drought. MI have not won the IPL since 2020 and have not reached a final since, making the playoffs only twice and finishing bottom of the table in 2022 and 2024, The Indian Express noted. Jayawardene’s second stint as head coach lasted two seasons and ended after a disappointing IPL 2026, The Hindu reported.

Pollard’s first task will be to finalise MI’s player retentions ahead of the IPL auction, which is set to be held in Goa in December, according to Cricbuzz.