Mumbai Indians have named Robin Uthappa as batting coach and Mitchell McClenaghan as bowling coach for IPL 2027, a day after Lasith Malinga, Paras Mhambrey and Carl Hopkinson left the franchise, PTI reported. Former India fielding coach T Dilip and Dhawal Kulkarni, as development bowling coach, complete the group under head coach Kieron Pollard.
Pollard was promoted from batting coach last week to replace Mahela Jayawardene. Mumbai finished ninth in 2026, and the five-time champions have now rebuilt almost their whole backroom around him, mostly with people who once wore their colours.
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Key points
- Robin Uthappa is batting coach and Mitchell McClenaghan bowling coach under head coach Kieron Pollard
- T Dilip comes in as fielding coach and Dhawal Kulkarni as development bowling coach
- Lasith Malinga, Paras Mhambrey and Carl Hopkinson left the franchise on Thursday
Old Mumbai hands come back
Uthappa played for Mumbai in the IPL’s first season in 2008 and was part of India’s 2007 T20 World Cup squad. This is his first major IPL coaching job, according to CricTracker. “From being part of our very first season to returning with a wealth of experience!” MI wrote on X.
McClenaghan, the New Zealand left-arm seamer, played for Mumbai from 2015 to 2020 and was part of the 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020 title wins. Kulkarni had two spells as a player, 2008 to 2013 and 2020 to 2021. Only Dilip arrives without a Mumbai past.
“Under Pollard’s leadership, the coaching group will work closely to strengthen player development,” the franchise said.
Who left, and why it mattered
Malinga was the biggest name to go. As a player he took 170 wickets in 122 appearances for Mumbai between 2009 and 2019, helping them to four IPL titles and the 2011 Champions League T20, Reuters reported. He returned as bowling coach ahead of IPL 2024.
Mhambrey had two spells with the franchise, from 2010 to 2017 and again after his time with the India coaching staff ended in 2024, according to PTI. Hopkinson, a former England and Ireland fielding coach, joined before IPL 2025.
What the new staff means for Mumbai’s attack
Swapping Malinga and Mhambrey for McClenaghan and Kulkarni changes the voice in the bowlers’ meetings but not the culture: both new men learned their IPL cricket in Mumbai’s dressing room. Kulkarni’s development brief also points to a franchise that wants to grow its own Indian seamers.
The pressure is obvious. Mumbai have missed the playoffs in four of the last six editions, according to Reuters, a poor return for a five-time champion. Those problems were already showing in June, when we looked at Mumbai’s post-season review.
What it means for IPL 2027 markets
Long-range IPL prices often lean on reputation, and Mumbai’s name still carries weight. The staff is now complete, so the next real signal is the retention list: that is where Pollard, Uthappa and McClenaghan show which players they want to build around. Our IPL tournament hub will track the changes as the 2027 squads take shape.
What happens next
Mumbai have not yet named their captain for 2027, and reports that Rohit Sharma could return to the role have not been confirmed by the franchise. Retention decisions are the next big moment.
Market watch
- Mumbai’s coaching group is now complete: Pollard, Uthappa, McClenaghan, Dilip and Kulkarni.
- Retention decisions will say more about Mumbai’s 2027 chances than staff changes alone.
- The captaincy is unresolved, which adds uncertainty to any early outright price on Mumbai.
For more, see our Mumbai Indians team page, the latest IPL predictions and upcoming fixtures in our match centre.
Top image: Photo: G patkar / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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Pradeep Singh
Pradeep Singh is a cricket betting expert with 17+ years of experience. His work is in The Times of India, Hindustan Dainik, and Dainik Bhaskar, covering cricket betting and gambling news.
At cricket-betting.net, he is our in-house expert, writing betting guides, match analysis, and news about cricket betting markets.
