Mumbai Indians extend coaching shake-up, part ways with Lasith Malinga, Paras Mhambrey and Carl Hopkinson
On Thursday, 29 October 2026, Mumbai Indians announced they had released Lasith Malinga, Paras Mhambrey and Carl Hopkinson from the men's team coaching setup as part of an ongoing overhaul ahead of IPL 2027. The decision came days after the franchise appointed Kieron Pollard as head coach, replacing Mahela Jayawardene.
Pollard was promoted from his previous role as batting coach and will lead the team into the next season; the former West Indies all-rounder spent several seasons as the franchise's batting coach after retiring from the IPL as a player. Mahela Jayawardene had already left the head coach role; during his two stints from 2017 to 2022 and again from 2024 to 2026 he guided the franchise to three IPL titles, in 2017, 2019 and 2020.
The club confirmed the departures on Thursday, bringing the respective spells of Malinga, Mhambrey and Hopkinson with Mumbai Indians to an end. Lasith Malinga, a former Sri Lanka fast bowler, was credited with playing a key role in four IPL title wins and in the franchise's 2011 Champions League T20 triumph before returning to the setup as a mentor and coach after retiring from playing.
Paras Mhambrey has had an extended association with the franchise, serving from 2010 to 2017 and returning in 2024; the experienced coach was involved in developing the team's bowling resources during his spells with the side. His latest exit ends his most recent stint with the Mumbai coaching group.
Carl Hopkinson joined Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2025 season after working with the England men's team and was part of the coaching setup responsible for improving the team's fielding standards. His departure completes the trio of changes announced on Thursday.
The club described the moves as part of a wider reshaping of the coaching structure following Pollard's promotion, with the exits signalling that changes extend beyond the head coach position. The franchise has not announced replacements for the departing coaches.
No successors have been named yet, and with Pollard taking charge, Mumbai Indians will look to finalise their support staff as they prepare for IPL 2027.
