Mumbai Indians have announced a major change to their coaching setup. The five-time champions confirmed that bowling coaches Lasith Malinga and Paras Mhambrey, along with fielding coach Carl Hopkinson, will leave the men's team coaching staff.
Mumbai Indians has already made the decision to remove these three coaches as the team is set to enter the IPL in 2027.
Mumbai Indians Thank Three Coaches
Mumbai Indians also expressed gratitude to Malinga, Mhambrey and Hopkinson for their work with the franchise in the announcement. They also acknowledged the relationships they formed and the memories they made during their time with the club.
The franchise wished all three coaches success in their next career steps. But they didn’t give reasons for their departure or the replacement for IPL 2027.
The changes are at the same time that Mumbai Indians are revamping their coaching structure after a disappointing 2026 campaign.
Mumbai Indians today announced that Lasith Malinga, Paras Mhambrey and Carl Hopkinson will be moving on from their respective roles in the men’s team coaching setup, thanking each of them for their commitment, contribution and service to the franchise. Their commitment, the relationships they have built and the memories they have helped create will always be part of our journey. We wish each of them the very best in their future endeavours. https://t.co/iQhgBABx2W
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) October 29, 2026
Lasith Malinga’s Long Association With MI Ends
Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga is a Sri Lankan fast-bowler who is also one of Mumbai Indians’ best-known players. From 2009 to 2019 he played for the franchise where he took 170 wickets in 122 games.
Malinga played a key role in Mumbai Indians’ four IPL title victories during his playing career and was also part of the team that won the 2011 Champions League Twenty20 title.
After retiring from the game of cricket he continued with Mumbai Indians in the mentoring and coaching space. He returned as the fast-bowling coach of the franchise ahead of IPL 2024.
His departure brings another chapter of his long relationship with the franchise to a close.
Paras Mhambrey and Carl Hopkinson also leave
Paras Mhambrey, the former India fast bowler, had also been in a long-term relationship with Mumbai Indians. He was with the franchise from 2010 to 2017 until returning to its setup in the following years.
Mhambrey had been India's bowling coach from 2021 to 2024 - the team won the 2024 T20 World Cup. He had been in that role for several years and was a big part of the coaching setup.
Carl Hopkinson joined Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2025 season as the fielding coach. The former England coach brought international experience and worked to increase the team's fielding performance.
Both coaches have now been thanked by the franchise for their service.
A coaching change ahead of IPL 2027.
The departures follow Mumbai Indians appointing former captain Kieron Pollard head coach of IPL 2027, replacing Mahela Jayawardene.
Mumbai finished ninth in the 2026 IPL season and missed the playoffs; that will now have to change and it will also be difficult for the franchise to regain its support staff in the future as they will have to contend for the title again.
Mumbai Indians are going through a new phase after three coaching exits and a change at the top of the team. Fans will be watching with great interest those at the top who will make up the coaching team and how the changes will influence the team’s preparations for IPL 2027 and the team’s strategy for IPL 2027.
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