2026-10-28 · Major update · IPL Guide newsroom
THE APPOINTMENT — Mumbai Indians announced on Saturday 24 October 2026 that Kieron Pollard is their new head coach for IPL 2027. Pollard was the franchise's batting coach for the last four IPL seasons and takes over from Mahela Jayawardene, who parted ways with the franchise the previous weekend.
POLLARD'S MI RECORD — Pollard first joined Mumbai Indians as a player ahead of the 2010 season and was part of all five of the franchise's IPL title wins, in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020, as well as their two Champions League T20 victories in 2011 and 2013. He played 189 IPL matches, scoring 3,412 runs at a strike rate of 147.32 and taking 69 wickets, before retiring from the IPL after the 2022 season and moving straight into the coaching staff.
POLLARD'S WORDS — "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."
THE CONTEXT — Mumbai Indians are the joint most-successful side in IPL history with five titles, but they have missed the playoffs in four of the last six seasons, and Pollard is their third head coach in four seasons after Jayawardene's two stints and Mark Boucher's spell in between. The appointment lands weeks before the retention lists due on 15 November 2026, with the mini-auction to follow on 16 December 2026 at ITC Grand Goa — Pollard's first task is shaping the squad he will coach. See the <a href="/teams/mumbai-indians/">MI squad page</a> and the <a href="/updates/ipl-2027-retention-deadline-15-november-salary-cap-157-crore/">retention-deadline update</a>.
Sources: Reuters, 'Mumbai Indians promote Pollard to head coach, replacing Jayawardene', 24 October 2026 (https://www.reuters.com/sports/cricket/mumbai-indians-promote-pollard-head-coach-replacing-jayawardene-2026-10-24/); Cricbuzz, 'Kieron Pollard named Mumbai Indians head coach for IPL 2027' (https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/140629/kieron-pollard-named-mumbai-indians-head-coach-for-ipl-2027-cricbuzzcom).
Mumbai Indians announced on 24 October 2026 that Kieron Pollard has been promoted from batting coach to head coach, succeeding Mahela Jayawardene ahead of the retention deadline and the Goa mini-auction.
Official IPL/BCCI and franchise announcements first, then reputable reporting such as ESPNcricinfo. This post names its sources at the bottom, and unconfirmed items in it are labelled 'reported'.