Mumbai Indians part ways with Malinga, Mhambrey and Hopkinson; end of an era for Sri Lankan legend

Mumbai Indians on Thursday announced that Lasith Malinga, Paras Mhambrey and Carl Hopkinson will move on from their respective roles in the men's team coaching setup, thanking the trio for their contributions to the franchise.

Malinga, one of the most iconic figures in Mumbai Indians' history, played a key role in the franchise's four IPL title triumphs and the 2011 Champions League T20 victory. He later returned to the team as a mentor and coach, continuing his association with MI.

The franchise said Malinga's passion, competitive spirit and commitment to the team had inspired generations of players, adding that his legacy would remain an important part of Mumbai Indians.


The departures mark a major overhaul of Mumbai Indians' coaching setup ahead of the next IPL season. The franchise had last week replaced head coach Mahela Jayawardene with Kieron Pollard, with the exits of Malinga, Mhambrey and Hopkinson signalling further changes to the backroom staff of the five-time IPL champions.

Also read: Mumbai Indians appoint Kieron Pollard as head coach for IPL 2027

Mhambrey, meanwhile, had a long association with the franchise, serving from 2010 to 2017 before returning in 2024. MI credited him with bringing experience, dedication and a deep understanding of the team's culture, while acknowledging his contribution to developing and nurturing its bowling talent.

Hopkinson joined Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2025 season, bringing international experience from his time with the England men's team. The franchise appreciated his professionalism, expertise and efforts to improve the team's fielding standards.

Mumbai Indians extended their gratitude to all three for their contributions to the team and the wider MI family, wishing them the best in their future endeavours.

"Once MI, Always MI," the franchise said.

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Meanwhile, the IPL 2027 mini-auction is scheduled to take place in Goa on December 16, according to ESPNcricinfo. The day-long event will be held nearly a month after the November 15 retention deadline communicated to franchises, and will coincide with the second ODI between India and Sri Lanka in Bengaluru. The IPL trade window has already witnessed two deals since the conclusion of the 2026 season, with Lucknow Super Giants trading Rishabh Pant to Delhi Capitals for Kuldeep Yadav in June, followed by DC trading T Natarajan to Sunrisers Hyderabad for uncapped leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the defending champions, having beaten Gujarat Titans in the 2026 final in Ahmedabad.