Jayawardene Steps Down as Mumbai Indians Head Coach

Mumbai Indians announced on October 17 that Mahela Jayawardene had stepped down as head coach, ending his latest stint with the franchise ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League season. The franchise’s announcement described the departure as a decision to part ways; a report said the separation was mutual. Jayawardene led Mumbai Indians to IPL titles in 2017, 2019 and 2020, according to the franchise. He coached the team from 2017 to 2022 and returned to the role for 2024 through 2026. His departure leaves the franchise to determine its coaching leadership for the next season. No successor was named in the announcement. Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani thanked Jayawardene for his contribution and commitment, while Jayawardene said the franchise had been a special part of his career. In his statement, he thanked the team’s players, coaching staff, owners and supporters, and said he was proud of what they had achieved together. After his first coaching stint ended in 2022, Jayawardene took on the role of Global Head of Performance, according to one account. That report said he oversaw the franchise’s expansion across global leagues and worked with coaching teams on a shared...