A coach is the man behind all the success in the match. Mumbai Indians is one of the teams that has brought so many success stories. But, how did it gather all the dedication and put efforts in the right direction? This article will list the head coaches or the people behind the team’s winning.
Mumbai Indians is one of the most consistent teams in the history of IPL. They might not be a series qualifier of the playoffs as their arch rivals, Chennai Super Kings. However, whenever they do manage to make it to the playoffs, they make sure to get the work done.
In fact, their record in the finals is phenomenal, as they’re yet to lose one. Hence, with 5 titles to their name, Mumbai Indian is the joint most successful team in the whole of Indian Premier League.
List of Mumbai Indians Head Coaches
Because of it’s great fan following and constant desire for procuring the result, it at times becomes hard to keep up with the pressure. And this pressure is felt by the players and the coaches alike. For example, Mark Boucher, the current head coach of Mumbai Indians, was appointed for the 2023 session of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He replaced ex-Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene, under whose guidance MI won almost everything.
The tables turned when Jayawardene quit the head coach’s position for MI when he found a position with the franchise in a new role as their global head of performance. When MI was expanding to leagues in South Africa and the UAE, Jayawardene was put in charge to ensure the franchise continued its successful journey in new markets.
The organizing of the coaches in the Mumbai Indian team has gathered everyone’s attention. The takeover of Mark Boucher was the seventh time in the coaching history of MI. If you are also wondering about the reason behind the reshuffling of the coaches in MI, read this article till the end and find out who became part of this reshuffle.
Lalchand Rajput (2008)
With the beginning of IPL in 2008, Mumbai Indians chose Lalchand Rajput, a former Mumbai cricket star and Indian player, as the head coach. His expertise was counted after he coached the Indian team during the 2007-08 season. During that time, he guided the Indian team to win the T20 World Cup in South Africa and also the CB series tri-nation competition in Australia.
But, unfortunately, his efforts didn’t brighten the IPL for Mumbai Indians, as they did for the Indian national team. Turned out that it was his only season led by Sachin Tendulkar. The team didn’t perform well enough to qualify for the league stage of the tournament.
Shaun Pollock (2009)
With the unsuccessful start in the IPL, MI dedicated to bringing Shaun Pollock to coach the team for IPL 2009. The South African all-rounder had contributed to the IPL for MI during the first edition of the tournament. He was well-versed with the team members and understood the game of everyone. Despite all the experience and trust, MI struggled to get a hold of the game and experienced another tough season. The team only won five matches and ended up in the seventh position on the score table. Unfortunately, the failure led to Pollock’s last stint as the head coach for MI.
Robin Singh (2010-12)
The team appointed a new guide, Robin Singh, as their head coach. With the involvement of Robin, the team experienced a positive shift during the 2010 IPL season. The former Indian all-rounder brought changes and put effort into the team. In return, MI continued its journey beyond the league stage for the first time. However, ended up as the runners-up in the tournament. Robin Singh served as the head coach for three years, which led MI to achieve the third position in IPL 2011 and fourth place in IPL 2012.
John Wright (2013-14)
John Wright was the next head coach of Mumbai Indians for the consistent two seasons. Former New Zealand batter and ex-Indian head coach brought a victory to the house. His devotion to the team made all the difference, and Mumbai Indians won its first IPL title in 2013. The moment was heartwarming as all the Mumbai Indians fans finally got the chance to see the team holding the trophy in their hands.
Wright’s teamwork with the MI’s new captain, Rohit Sharma, was incredible. They both worked to overcome the challenges of MI to win the IPL trophy. Even with a low possibility, the team became the champion for the first time.
Ricky Ponting (2015-16)
After an extraordinary success as the head coach, John Wright shifted his focus to scouting for Mumbai Indians. To fill the gap, MI added the legendary Australian batsman and former MI captain, Ricky Ponting, to coach the team. Ponting, a famous and well-achieved batsman, didn’t waste any time and brought the IPL trophy in his inaugural year as the head coach in 2015.
The major add-on to Ponting was his familiarity with the whole team. He used his experience with MI as a previous player and embraced the challenges that came in way. He maintained the success streak of John Wright. However, with his excellent coaching and success as a coach, Ponting decided to part ways with the Mumbai Indians franchise after one more year in the coaching position. Even though he left the position, his impact lasted the team for a longer time.
Mahela Jayawardene (2017-22)
Last but not least, Mahela Jayawardene became the most accomplished head coach for Mumbai Indians. His connection and guidance led the team to achieve three IPL championships so far. His legacy left an unforgettable mark in the hearts of the team members. His coaching journey started in 2017 with a triumph for MI when the team was led by Rohit Sharma. In his captaincy and the brilliant guidance by Jayawardene, MI won back-to-back trophies in 2019 and 2020.
Jayawardene’s strategic approach toward the game and leadership skills changed the direction of IPL for Mumbai Indians. His teachings brought consistent success as a coach head. Jayawardene played a crucial role in shaping the team’s identity and making it a formidable franchise in the IPL.
Why did Mahela Jayawardene step down as head coach of Mumbai Indians?
Ahead of the 2023 season of IPL, the news broke the internet that Mahela Jayawardene, one of the most successful coaches of Mumbai Indians will be stepping down from his position. However, it was not because the management had lost faith in him. The real reason behind Jayawardene’s departure from the position was something more significant for the MI franchise internationally.
Everyone knows that the Mumbai Indians family has only grown in the recent years. The MI teams are branching out in the different parts of the world, by introducing teams in leagues all over the globe. And to make sure that every team can replicate the success that Mumbai Indians has had in IPL in the recent years, the management took the tough decision.
Hence, Mahela Jayawardene was forced to step down from his position as the head coach of MI in IPL, so that he could become the new Global Head of Performance for Mumbai Indians.
“With the expansion of MI #OneFamily which now includes MI Emirates and MI Cape Town along with Mumbai Indians, the team management recognised the need for a central team,” the team said, according to Indian Express.
“As part of building the structure, two MI veterans Mahela Jayawardene and Zaheer Khan with deep knowledge of the MI value system and proven track record, are being elevated to new roles.”
Mark Boucher (2023-)
In the very first season of his coaching career Boucher got a taste of what it feels to be coaching the one of the most successful teams in the history of IPL. Mumbai Indians under their new coach didn’t have the best of starts. However, they were able to make certain changes mid season and managed to reach the Playoffs barely.
Their first assignment in Eliminator stage was to take on Lucknow Super Giants. They performed it with easy and defeated the newly formed franchise, handing them their second playoff defeat in two seasons. This set up a date with Gujarat Titans in the Qualifier 2, where Mumbai Indian’s couldn’t perform and were knocked out of the tournament.
Boucher had a feasible first season with Mumbai Indians. From their 14 league games, they managed to win 8 and lost 6. In his season season at the helm, the South African will be looking to make certain changes in the approach to perhaps procure better results.
Who is the coach of Mumbai Indians Women in WPL?
Mumbai Indians women have a title winning mentality just like their IPL counterparts. Hence, when it came to assigning the head coach, only the best would have sufficed. This lead to the appointment of Charlotte Edwards as head coach ahead of the 2023 and inaugural edition of Women’s Premier League.
She was accompanied by Jhulan Goswami in the role of mentor and bowling coach. While Devieka Palshikaar came in as Batting Coach. Together, these three powerful women had a title winning campaign as Mumbai Indians women’s team emerged as the winner of WPL 2023.
They will be looking forward to replicate the same success in the second season of the tournament as well.
FAQ
Who is the head coach of Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024?
Mark Boucher is the current head coach of Mumbai Indians team in IPL. He was appointed in the 2023 season and will continue to fulfill the role in the 2024 edition of the tournament as well. Under him, MI managed to reached the playoffs last season and will be looking to do better in this season.
When did Mahela Jayawardene coach Mumbai Indians?
The Sri Lankan legend was the longest serving head coach of Mumbai Indians. Jayawardene was a part of the MI team for six seasons in total. His reign started in 2017 with MI winning a title, and ended in 2022, when he was elevated to the level of Global Head of performance.
Penned by: Vaishnavi Deoskar
