Cricket

Former India seamer Paras Mhambrey has been appointed as Mumbai Indians' bowling coach ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Mhambrey, who previously served as MI's assistant coach, will work alongside current bowling coach Lasith Malinga under newly appointed head coach Mahela Jayawardene.Mhambrey brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as India's bowling coach from 2021 to August 2023 under Rahul Dravid. During his tenure, India won the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. He was also part of the MI setup when the team won the IPL in 2013 and the Champions League T20 in 2011 and 2013.In addition to his international and IPL experience, Mhambrey has also coached in Indian domestic cricket. He oversaw the India A team and helped Bengal reach successive Ranji Trophy finals in 2005-06 and 2006-07.As a player, Mhambrey represented India in two Tests and three ODIs between 1996 and 1998. He played for Mumbai in domestic cricket, taking 284 wickets in 91 first-class games and 111 wickets in 83 List A games.Mhambrey's appointment is part of a wider coaching staff overhaul at MI. On Sunday, the franchise announced the return of former Sri Lanka captain Jayawardene as their head coach. The coaching staff's first task will be to finalize Mumbai's retentions ahead of the October 31 deadline.MI finished at the bottom of the table in IPL 2024 with just four wins in 14 games under new captain Hardik Pandya. The team will be hoping that the new coaching staff can help them return to their former glory in the upcoming season.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction is set to take place outside India, with Singapore emerging as a potential venue. The auction, scheduled for late November, was previously held in Dubai but may be moved to Saudi Arabia or Singapore due to cost concerns.Meanwhile, five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians have reappointed Mahela Jayawardene as their head coach. Jayawardene previously held the position from 2017 to 2022, leading the team to three championships. He returns after a brief stint as the franchise's Global Head of Cricket.Jayawardene's first task will be to finalize Mumbai Indians' strategy for the IPL 2025 mega auction. Teams are allowed to retain six players from their existing squad, either five capped (Indian or overseas) and a maximum of two uncapped.The IPL 2025 auction is expected to be a major event, with several top players set to go under the hammer. The auction will also be crucial for Mumbai Indians, who have struggled in recent seasons. Jayawardene's return is seen as a positive step for the franchise, as he has a proven track record of success in the IPL.

Mahela Jayawardene Returns as Mumbai Indians Head CoachFormer Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene has been reappointed as the head coach of the Mumbai Indians franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Jayawardene previously held the position from 2017 to 2022, leading the team to three IPL titles.After stepping down as head coach, Jayawardene took on the role of Global Head of Cricket for the Mumbai Indians, overseeing the franchise's cricketing operations across all levels. However, he has now returned to the helm of the IPL team, replacing Mark Boucher, who left the position after the 2023 season.Jayawardene expressed his excitement about his return to the Mumbai Indians, saying, "My journey within the MI family has always been one of evolution. In 2017, the focus was on bringing together a talented group of individuals to play the best cricket ever and we did very well. Now to return, at the same moment in history, where we look ahead at the future and the opportunity to further strengthen the love of MI, build on the vision of the owners, and continue to add to the history of Mumbai Indians, is an exciting challenge I am looking forward to."Jayawardene's return to the Mumbai Indians is expected to bring stability and experience to the franchise. He is known for his astute tactical acumen and ability to get the best out of his players. Under his leadership, the Mumbai Indians have consistently been one of the most successful teams in the IPL, winning the title in 2017, 2019, and 2020.The Mumbai Indians will be hoping that Jayawardene can help them regain their dominance in the IPL. The team has struggled in recent seasons, failing to qualify for the playoffs in the last two editions. Jayawardene's experience and leadership will be crucial in guiding the Mumbai Indians back to the top of the IPL standings.

Mahela Jayawardene, the former Sri Lankan batting legend, has resigned as the team's consultant coach after just six months into his one-year extension. The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced Jayawardene's resignation with immediate effect, citing his desire to step down due to misalignment with the current decision-making process.Jayawardene's tenure as consultant coach was marked by significant changes to the national team ecosystem and the High-Performance Center. He played a pivotal role in implementing a cultural shift within Sri Lanka cricket, emphasizing the importance of the National Super League and technical improvements at the High Performance Centre.Despite mixed results on the field, including an Asia Cup triumph in 2022 and a runner-up finish in 2023, Jayawardene's contributions behind the scenes were highly valued by SLC. However, his absence at the ongoing T20 World Cup in the US and West Indies raised eyebrows, with Sanath Jayasuriya, appointed as cricket consultant in December 2022, accompanying the team instead.In his resignation letter, Jayawardene expressed his concerns about the current decision-making process, stating that it was no longer fully aligned with the direction he had been taking. He emphasized the importance of data and performance analytics, areas where he believed there was a lack of alignment.Jayawardene's resignation comes as a surprise, given SLC's previous desire to extend his role. However, it highlights the challenges faced by coaches in navigating the complex decision-making processes within cricket boards.Despite his departure, Jayawardene's legacy as a coach remains intact. He is the second-most successful coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL), having led the Mumbai Indians to five titles. He currently serves as the global head of performance for the Mumbai Indians and its franchises.

The search for India's next head coach has intensified, with the BCCI receiving applications for the position that will be vacated by Rahul Dravid on June 30, 2024. While names like Gautam Gambhir have been circulating, reliable sources have confirmed that Mahela Jayawardene, the former Sri Lankan captain, has not applied nor been approached for the role.Jayawardene, who has guided Mumbai Indians to three IPL titles, is currently the franchise's global head of performance, overseeing coaching and scouting for MI's teams in various T20 leagues worldwide. He has also served as a consultant for the Sri Lankan men's team during their recent World Cup campaigns.Another potential candidate, Justin Langer, has ruled himself out of contention. The former Australia head coach, who led the team to a T20 World Cup title in 2021, cited the demanding nature of the role and the need for the right timing."It would be a great challenge, but the timing has got to be right," Langer said. "The pressure on winning for the Indian team is massive."The BCCI has set a deadline of May 27 for applications, and the new head coach is expected to be appointed for a three-year period from July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2027. The successful candidate will be tasked with guiding India through the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2027 ODI World Cup.