Mumbai Indians appoint Kieron Pollard as head coach for IPL 2027

Five-time champions Mumbai Indians on Saturday appointed Kieron Pollard as head coach ahead of the IPL 2027 season, with Mahela Jayawardene stepping down to end his decade-long association with the franchise.

Pollard, colossus of the T20 format, was the team's batting coach for the last four IPL seasons having retired from playing the league ahead of the 2023 season.

Pollard said he was delighted to take up the new responsibility and thanked the Mumbai Indians management for trusting him.


“It is an honour to take on the role of Head Coach of Mumbai Indians. 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," Pollard told Mumbai Indians.

"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. I am grateful to Mrs. Nita Ambani, Akash Ambani and the entire MI family for their trust in me. I look forward to working closely with the players and support staff, building on the team’s legacy, helping our talent grow and giving the Paltan many more reasons to celebrate,” he said.

Jayawardene was Mumbai Indians’ head coach for the last two seasons during his second stint in the role. He had earlier led the team from 2017 to 2022.

Nita Ambani, Co-owner, Mumbai Indians, said, “Pollard joined Mumbai Indians as a young 22-year-old and, over the past sixteen years, has become an integral part of our family. As a player, he gave us many unforgettable moments, and as a coach, he has continued to share his experience, passion and deep understanding of the game. We are delighted to see him take on this new responsibility as Head Coach. 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. I wish him every success as he leads the team into its next chapter.”

Mumbai Indians last won the IPL title in 2020. The franchise will now look to Pollard to help bring back its winning touch.

Pollard's journey with Mumbai Indians
Pollard is among a select group of players to have represented just one franchise throughout their IPL careers. The others, with at least 100 matches to their name, are Virat Kohli, who has played for Royal Challengers Bangalore since 2008; Sunil Narine, with Kolkata Knight Riders since 2011; Jasprit Bumrah, with Mumbai Indians since 2013; and Lasith Malinga, who had two stints with MI.

Mumbai Indians bought Pollard at the 2010 IPL auction for a then-record $750,000. The West Indies all-rounder was an emerging star, and MI were determined to secure his services after his explosive hitting, athletic fielding and bowling nous caught the attention of franchises during the 2009 Champions League T20.

Pollard had set his base price at $200,000, but four franchises — MI, Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders — made the maximum bid of $750,000. He became the first of two players, alongside Shane Bond, to be signed through the IPL’s silent tie-breaker rule, under which franchises submitted bids on blank cheques, with the highest offer securing the player.

Pollard soon justified the hefty price tag, becoming a key finisher for MI with his ability to take apart bowlers in the closing stages of an innings. He was an automatic retention ahead of successive auctions, including in 2022, when MI retained him for ₹6 crore, or about $800,000, as their fourth player.

However, IPL 2022 proved a difficult season. Across 11 matches, Pollard scored just 144 runs at an average of 14.40 and a strike rate of 107.46 — his lowest figures in either category in an IPL season. His struggles continued beyond the tournament. He underwent knee surgery during the English summer before turning out for Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League, where the team failed to reach the playoffs for the first time.