In preparation for the IPL 2027 campaign, Mumbai Indians have started reorganizing their backroom staff, recruiting new personnel alongside figures who share prior history with the team. Under the guidance of their newly designated head coach, the five-time tournament winners are laying the groundwork for a fresh era by revamping their batting, bowling, and fielding support units. These recent additions reflect the management’s objective to blend global expertise with a deep understanding of the team’s internal ethos and competitive atmosphere.
2007 T20 World Cup champion named batting mentor for Mumbai Indians
Ex-Indian top-order batter Robin Uthappa has taken on the role of batting coach for Mumbai Indians, entering his maiden coaching role within the IPL. The 2007 T20 World Cup champion steps into this duty prior to the 2027 edition, returning to the Mumbai unit where he featured as a player in the competition’s premier 2008 season.
During Mumbai Indians’ initial IPL season, Uthappa featured consistently in the starting lineup. Nevertheless, his time with the squad was brief, as he was later moved to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a trade deal that brought veteran Indian quick Zaheer Khan to Mumbai.
The retired cricketer went on to represent various other teams across his IPL stint, concluding his playing career at the end of 2022. This new role enables him to offer his insights from the bench rather than out on the pitch.
In tandem with Uthappa’s hiring, T Dilip has been selected as the new fielding coach for Mumbai Indians. Dilip served in an identical capacity with India’s national men’s side for almost five years, receiving widespread praise for elevating the team’s agility and catching metrics. His addition provides Mumbai Indians with substantial top-tier global coaching knowledge; during his stint with the national squad, he contributed to three separate ICC tournament victories, including the T20 World Cups in 2024 and 2026 as well as the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Mitchell McClenaghan and Dhawal Kulkarni added to pace setup
To reinforce their pace support crew, Mumbai Indians have recruited two past players. Ex-New Zealand left-arm quick Mitchell McClenaghan steps in as the main bowling coach, whereas former Indian medium-pacer Dhawal Kulkarni assumes the role of developmental bowling coach.
McClenaghan achieved notable success as a cricketer for Mumbai Indians, playing a key role in their trophy-winning runs in 2015, 2017, and 2019 while claiming 71 victims across 56 games. The Kiwi fast bowler was likewise included in the roster during Mumbai’s successful title retention in 2020, despite not playing a match that year. He later built his coaching resume with MI Emirates, guiding their bowling attack during their victorious 2024 ILT20 title run.
On the other hand, Kulkarni played for Mumbai Indians throughout the opening six IPL editions and was a member of their inaugural title-winning side in 2013. Following stints with Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Lions, he rejoined the Mumbai setup for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Over the course of his IPL stint, Kulkarni logged 92 appearances, alongside representing India in 12 ODIs and a pair of T20Is between 2014 and 2016.
These changes come after Mumbai Indians opted to release bowling coaches Lasith Malinga and Paras Mhambrey, as well as fielding instructor Carl Hopkinson. Malinga had been guiding the pace unit since IPL 2024. With Kieron Pollard now leading as head coach, Mumbai Indians have constructed a restructured backroom team packed with former team stars as they gear up for IPL 2027.
