Mumbai Indians Overhaul Coaching Staff Under Pollard

Mumbai Indians have confirmed a significant restructuring of their coaching setup ahead of IPL 2027, with Robin Uthappa and T Dilip headlining the appointments under newly installed head coach Kieron Pollard.

Uthappa, who represented the franchise in the inaugural IPL season in 2008, returns as batting coach. It marks his first coaching role with an IPL team since retiring from the league after the 2022 season. His association with MI began in the competition’s first year before he was involved in one of the league’s earliest trades, moving to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in exchange for Zaheer Khan.

Mumbai Indians today announced the appointment of Robin Uthappa as Batting Coach, Mitchell McClenaghan as Bowling Coach, T. Dilip as Fielding Coach and Dhawal Kulkarni as Development Bowling Coach for the upcoming IPL 2027 season.

They will join Head Coach Kieron Pollard as part of a new-look coaching group that brings together a strong understanding of the Mumbai Indians culture, extensive international experience and a shared commitment to developing talent and delivering success.

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— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) October 30, 2026

Dilip takes over as fielding coach, a role he held with the Indian men’s team for nearly five years. During that tenure he was part of three ICC title-winning campaigns: the T20 World Cups in 2024 and 2026 and the 2025 Champions Trophy. His stint overlapped with Rohit Sharma‘s captaincy of India, and the pair will now reunite at MI.

Former Players Return

Two more former MI players join the support staff. Mitchell McClenaghan has been appointed bowling coach, while Dhawal Kulkarni takes on the role of development bowling coach.

McClenaghan, the former New Zealand left-arm seamer, was instrumental in three of MI’s title wins in 2015, 2017 and 2019, claiming 71 wickets from 56 outings for the franchise. He was also part of the squad during their title defence in 2020 without playing a match. His coaching credentials include serving as MI Emirates’ bowling coach in ILT20 2024, a campaign the franchise won.

Kulkarni represented Mumbai Indians across the first six IPL seasons and was part of their maiden title win in 2013, returning for another stint in 2020 and 2021. His 92-match IPL career also included spells with Rajasthan Royals and the now-defunct Gujarat Lions, while he played 12 ODIs and two T20Is for India between 2014 and 2016. MI stated that Kulkarni will have a year-round role designed to “ensure continuity in Mumbai Indians’ performance programme, providing consistent support for player development and talent pool depth.”

Departures and Immediate Priorities

The reshuffle follows the franchise’s decision to part ways with Lasith Malinga, who served as bowling coach since IPL 2024, along with Paras Mhambrey and Carl Hopkinson, the latter having been fielding coach.

The new staff’s first task under Pollard will be to finalise player retentions ahead of the auction in December. For a franchise that has consistently placed emphasis on continuity and internal knowledge, the appointments carry a familiar logic. Uthappa, McClenaghan and Kulkarni all know the MI environment from their playing days. Dilip brings recent international pedigree. Together, they form a group that Pollard will lean on heavily as the franchise begins a new cycle.

                                               

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