Mumbai Indians Name Kieron Pollard Head Coach for IPL 2027, Replacing Mahela Jayawardene
Mumbai Indians have appointed Kieron Pollard as head coach for the 2027 Indian Premier League season, promoting the former West Indies captain from his role as batting coach to replace Mahela Jayawardene, the franchise announced on Saturday.
Pollard, 39, takes over from Jayawardene, who parted ways with the franchise last week after returning for the 2025 season. The appointment is Pollard's first as head coach of a team, and it comes ahead of the IPL 2027 mini-auction in December, with the franchise's retention list due by November 15.
"It is an honour to take on the role of Head Coach of Mumbai Indians," Pollard said in a statement. "MI has been a huge part of my life and career, and the bond I share with this team, the players and the Paltan [fanbase] means a great deal to me. Having experienced this journey as a player and then as a coach, I understand what Mumbai Indians stands for and the responsibility that comes with representing the Blue and Gold."
From match-winner to the top job
Pollard's association with Mumbai Indians dates back to 2010, when he was first signed as a player. He went on to become one of the most recognisable figures in the franchise's history, featuring in all five of its IPL title triumphs — in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020 — as well as its two Champions League T20 victories in 2011 and 2013.
Across 189 IPL matches, all of them for Mumbai, Pollard scored 3,412 runs at a strike rate of 147.32 and claimed 69 wickets. He played his final season in 2022 before retiring from the IPL and moving straight onto the coaching staff as batting coach, a role he held for the last four seasons. He also helped West Indies win the Twenty20 World Cup in 2012.
Pollard has remained closely connected to the wider Mumbai Indians network, representing its sister franchises in Major League Cricket, the ILT20 and SA20, and serving as head coach of MI London in The Hundred. Earlier this month he was signed by Joburg Super Kings in the SA20 player auction for the 2027 season.
A franchise looking to end its drought
The appointment comes at a difficult time for the five-time champions. Mumbai Indians are the joint most successful side in IPL history, but they have missed the playoffs in four of the last six seasons since their most recent title in 2020. Pollard is now the third head coach in four seasons, following Mark Boucher's two-year spell and Jayawardene's return.
"I look forward to working closely with the players and support staff, building on the team's legacy, helping our talent grow and giving the Paltan many more reasons to celebrate," Pollard added.
His first task will be to finalise the retention list ahead of the November 15 deadline, with the IPL 2027 auction expected to be held in Goa in December.