Jayawardene reappointed as Mumbai Indians head coach

MUMBAI, India (AP) — The Mumbai Indians have reappointed three-time winning head coach Mahela Jayawardene for its 2025 Indian Premier League campaign.

The Sri Lankan cricket legend, who previously held the position from 2017 to 2022, replaces South African Mark Boucher who led the team to a last-placed finish in this year’s tournament.

“We are thrilled to have Mahela back as the head coach of Mumbai Indians,” said owner Akash Ambani on Sunday. “His leadership, knowledge, and passion for the game have always benefited MI.”

During his first stint as head coach, Jayawardene steered Mumbai to three IPL titles (2017, 2019, 2020), marking their status as the most successful franchise in the tournament’s history.

After stepping down in 2022, Jayawardene took on a broader role within the franchise as its global head of performance overseeing coaching and scouting for all four of the Mumbai franchise-owned teams in India, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and the U.S.

“My journey within the MI family has always been one of evolution,” Jayawardene said in a statement. “In 2017, the focus was on bringing together a talented group of individuals to play the best cricket ever and we did very well.

“Now to return, at the same moment in history, where we look ahead at the future and the opportunity to further strengthen the love of MI, build on the vision of the owners, and continue to add to the history of Mumbai Indians, is an exciting challenge I am looking forward to.”