Former West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard on Saturday was announced as the head coach of Mumbai Indians for the upcoming season. The appointment was confirmed by the five-time IPL champions team days after Mahela Jayawardene stepped down from the role.
Pollard has been involved with Mumbai Indians as the batting coach ever since he retired from the IPL in November 2022. Now he picks up the role of the head coach for one of the most successful cricket teams in this format. The big-hitting batter represented Mumbai Indians for 13 years, scoring 3,341 runs in 189 matches. He also took 69 wickets and won the league five times.
Pollard’s appointment as the head coach comes at a time when the defending champions failed to win the IPL in the last six years. In IPL 2026, Mumbai Indians finished ninth in the points table, winning just four out of the 14 matches.
Previously, Hardik Pandya served as the captain, and the results of the team have not been great. In 2024, his first year as a skipper, Mumbai Indians finished at the bottom of the point table, while in 2025 the team reached the playoffs.
Pollard who was questioned about his views as the head in an official statement said, “It is an honour to take on the role of Head Coach of the Mumbai Indians. MI has been a huge part of my life and career, and the bond I share with this team, the players and the Paltan means a great deal to me. Having experienced this journey as a player and then as a coach, I understand what the Mumbai Indians stand for and the responsibility that comes with representing the Blue and Gold.”
“I am grateful to Mrs Nita Ambani, Akash Ambani and the entire MI family for their trust in me. 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,” he added.