Mumbai Indians are set to continue with Mahela Jayawardene as their head coach for the 2027 edition of the Indian Premier League, according to the latest report by The Times of India. The five-time champions are reluctant to make sweeping changes and are expected to retain the former Sri Lanka captain for another season.
According to the report, Jayawardene joined Mumbai Indians on a “two + one” contract in 2024, meaning the franchise could extend his tenure for an additional year. With IPL 2027 expected to be the final year of the ongoing Indian Premier League cycle, MI are likely to exercise that option. A formal announcement is expected next month, provided there is no late change in the franchise’s plans.
Mahela Jayawardene set to continue as Mumbai Indians head coach
Jayawardene returned to the Mumbai Indians dugout in 2025 after previously serving as the franchise’s head coach from 2017 to 2022. Before his return, he had moved into a broader role within the MI setup as the Global Head of Performance, overseeing the franchise’s various teams and their coaching and scouting operations.
His return came after Mark Boucher’s two-year stint as head coach ended following the 2024 season. Mumbai Indians had reached the playoffs under Boucher in 2023 but finished at the bottom of the table in 2024 with only four wins.
The franchise’s decision to bring Mahela Jayawardene back was largely influenced by his successful first stint and his familiarity with the MI system.
Mahela Jayawardene’s first stint produced three IPL titles
Jayawardene’s first stint as Mumbai Indians head coach remains one of the most successful coaching runs in IPL history. Appointed ahead of the 2017 season, he immediately guided MI to their third IPL title, as they defeated Rising Pune Supergiant by one run in a dramatic final.
Mumbai Indians then endured a disappointing 2018 campaign, finishing fifth and missing the playoffs. However, Jayawardene’s team bounced back spectacularly in 2019, defeating Chennai Super Kings by one run in the final to claim their fourth title.
The success continued in 2020, when Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi Capitals in the final to win their fifth IPL trophy. Mahela Jayawardene therefore became the coach behind three of MI’s five IPL championships – 2017, 2019 and 2020.
He left the head coaching role in 2022 to take up the global position within the MI family.
How has Mahela Jayawardene’s second stint gone?
Mahela Jayawardene’s second stint has produced mixed results so far. His first season back in charge saw Mumbai Indians make a strong recovery from their disappointing 2024 campaign.
MI finished fourth in the IPL 2025 league stage and reached the playoffs. They defeated Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator before losing to Punjab Kings in Qualifier 2, ending their campaign just short of the final.
However, the 2026 season was a major setback. Mumbai Indians finished ninth out of 10 teams, managing only four victories in the campaign. Their season was affected by injuries, availability issues and reported unrest within the dressing room.
| IPL season | League standing | Final result |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1st | Champions |
| 2018 | 5th | League stage |
| 2019 | 1st | Champions |
| 2020 | 1st | Champions |
| 2021 | 5th | League stage |
| 2022 | 10th | League stage |
| 2025 | 4th | Playoffs |
| 2026 | 9th | League stage |
With MI choosing stability over another major overhaul, Mahela Jayawardene now appears set to get another opportunity in 2027 to revive the franchise and take it back towards the level of success associated with his first stint.
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