Mumbai Indians Announce New Coaching Group for IPL 2027
Mumbai Indians have completed a major overhaul of their coaching staff for IPL 2027, announcing four new appointments on October 30, 2026. Former India batter Robin Uthappa will take charge as batting coach, while former New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan comes in as bowling coach.
T. Dilip has been named fielding coach and Dhawal Kulkarni joins as development bowling coach. The four will work under head coach Kieron Pollard, whose 16 year association with the franchise makes him the natural leader of the new group.
The announcement completes the reshaping of the Mumbai backroom that began when Pollard replaced Mahela Jayawardene as head coach. Mumbai finished ninth in IPL 2026 with only four wins from 14 matches, and the franchise has now turned to a staff built largely from people who already know the dressing room.
Mumbai Indians new coaching group at a glance
| Role | Coach | MI playing past |
| Head coach | Kieron Pollard | MI player and long serving leader |
| Batting coach | Robin Uthappa | MI player in 2008 |
| Bowling coach | Mitchell McClenaghan | MI player from 2015 to 2020 |
| Fielding coach | T. Dilip | No MI playing past; former India fielding coach |
| Development bowling coach | Dhawal Kulkarni | MI player in 2008 to 2013 and 2020 to 2021 |
Robin Uthappa takes his first IPL coaching role
Uthappa was part of India’s winning squad at the first T20 World Cup in 2007 and played for Mumbai in the inaugural IPL season in 2008. This is his first coaching stint with an IPL team since he retired from the league after the 2022 season.
His brief is to sharpen Mumbai’s batting plans and help batters adapt to the changing demands of T20 cricket. Mumbai’s batting was one of the weak points of their poor 2026 campaign, so this is one of the most important appointments of the rebuild.
McClenaghan returns as bowling coach
McClenaghan needs little introduction to Mumbai fans. The left arm seamer played 56 matches for the franchise between 2015 and 2020, taking 71 wickets, and was part of the title winning squads in 2015, 2017 and 2019, as well as the successful title defence in 2020.
He has already coached in the wider MI setup, serving as bowling coach for MI Emirates when they won ILT20 in 2024. His attacking approach with the ball fits the style Mumbai want from their bowling attack.
Dilip brings recent trophy winning experience
T. Dilip joins after nearly five years as India’s fielding coach, a period that included the T20 World Cup wins in 2024 and 2026 and the Champions Trophy win in 2025. Fielding standards have become a clear point of difference in T20 cricket, and Dilip is regarded as one of the best in the business.
His arrival also reunites him with Rohit Sharma, with whom he worked during India’s recent trophy run. Mumbai will hope that attention to detail in the field can turn close games their way in 2027.
Kulkarni to work on young fast bowlers all year
Kulkarni returns to Mumbai in a year round development role, focused on building the franchise’s bowling talent, especially young Indian bowlers. He played for Mumbai across two spells, from 2008 to 2013 and again in 2020 to 2021, and was part of the title wins in 2013 and 2020.
He also represented India in 12 ODIs and two T20Is between 2014 and 2016. The year round nature of the role is significant: Mumbai want continuity in their performance programme rather than a coach who only arrives for the season itself.
Who leaves the Mumbai backroom
The new appointments follow Mumbai’s decision to part ways with three members of the old staff. Lasith Malinga, who had been bowling coach since IPL 2024, departs along with bowling coach Paras Mhambrey and fielding coach Carl Hopkinson.
Malinga’s exit is the most notable of the three. The Sri Lankan great was a Mumbai legend as a player, but the franchise has chosen a clean break as it rebuilds under Pollard.
What happens next for Mumbai Indians
The first job for Pollard and his new staff is to finalise Mumbai’s retention list ahead of the November 15 deadline. Franchises must submit their retained and released players by that date, before the IPL 2027 mini auction in Goa on December 16.
The coaching group will also have a say in how Mumbai approach that auction. With a mini auction rather than a full reset, smart additions around the retained core will matter more than sweeping changes.
For now, though, the message from Mumbai is clear. The franchise has backed people who understand its culture, led by a head coach who has lived it for 16 years, and the rebuild for IPL 2027 is officially underway.
FAQs
Who is the Mumbai Indians batting coach for IPL 2027?
Robin Uthappa has been appointed batting coach, his first coaching role with an IPL team.
Who is the Mumbai Indians bowling coach for IPL 2027?
Mitchell McClenaghan is the new bowling coach, replacing Lasith Malinga.
Who is the head coach of Mumbai Indians for IPL 2027?
Kieron Pollard is head coach, having replaced Mahela Jayawardene.
When is the IPL 2027 mini auction?
The mini auction is scheduled for December 16, 2026 in Goa, with retentions due by November 15.
