Mumbai Indians (MI) have enjoyed remarkable success in the Indian Premier League (IPL), winning five titles and establishing themselves as one of the competition’s most recognisable franchises. While star players have delivered memorable performances on the field, several former cricketers have continued contributing to the team after stepping away from their playing careers.
The franchise has frequently relied on the experience of former international players to guide its next generation. Their responsibilities have included coaching, talent scouting, mentoring and helping players understand the tactical demands of T20 cricket.
Ahead of IPL 2027, Kieron Pollard’s promotion to head coach has brought this player-to-coach journey back into focus. The former West Indies all-rounder joins a list of familiar MI figures who have moved from the playing arena into coaching or player-development roles.
Here are four Mumbai Indians stars who swapped their playing kits for coaching hats:
1. Kieron Pollard – Mumbai Indians’ new head coach
Kieron Pollard is one of the most influential players in Mumbai Indians’ history. The former West Indies captain joined the franchise in 2010 and became a key member of the team that dominated the IPL during the 2010s.
Pollard was renowned for his powerful hitting, ability to finish close games and composure in pressure situations. His contributions with both bat and ball helped Mumbai Indians win five IPL titles between 2013 and 2020. He also played an important role in the franchise’s Champions League T20 triumphs.
After representing MI for 13 seasons, Pollard retired from playing in the IPL in 2022 and was appointed the franchise’s batting coach. The move allowed him to continue working with the team while sharing his experience with younger players.
On October 24, 2026, Mumbai Paltan announced Pollard’s promotion to head coach for IPL 2027, following Mahela Jayawardene’s departure from the position. The appointment marks another significant step in Pollard’s long association with the franchise.
As head coach, Pollard will be responsible for much more than improving the team’s batting. He will need to oversee preparations, support tactical planning, manage the coaching group and help players perform consistently throughout the tournament.
His understanding of MI’s culture and experience in high-pressure T20 cricket could prove valuable as the five-time champions look to challenge for another title.
2. Parthiv Patel – From Mumbai Indians player to talent scout and coach
Parthiv Patel built a reputation as a dependable wicketkeeper-batter during his professional career. Making his Test debut for India at just 17, he became known for his energetic approach, compact batting technique and ability to contribute at the top of the order.
Patel represented several franchises during his IPL career, including Mumbai Indians. One of his most notable campaigns came in 2017, when he scored 395 runs and played an important role in Mumbai’s title-winning season.
After retiring from professional cricket in 2020, Patel continued working in the game. He served as a talent scout for Mumbai Indians, helping identify promising players through domestic and age-group cricket. Scouting requires a different skill set from playing, as it involves assessing a cricketer’s technique, temperament, potential and suitability for a particular team environment.
Patel subsequently gained coaching experience with MI Emirates in the ILT20 before joining Gujarat Titans as assistant and batting coach ahead of IPL 2025.
His background as a wicketkeeper-batter gives him useful insight into reading match situations, understanding bowling plans and helping batters make better decisions. His scouting experience also provides a broader understanding of player development.
3. Lasith Malinga – The yorker king turned bowling coach
Lasith Malinga is widely remembered as one of the finest death bowlers in T20 cricket. The Sri Lankan fast bowler became a MI legend through his distinctive sling-arm action, pinpoint yorkers and ability to deliver under pressure.
Malinga spent more than a decade associated with Mumbai Indians, playing a major role in their rise to the top of the IPL. His performances in crucial matches made him one of the franchise’s most trusted players, particularly when opponents needed only a few runs in the final overs.
After retiring from playing, Malinga transitioned into coaching. MI appointed him bowling coach in October 2023, bringing him back into the setup to work with the franchise’s fast bowlers.
His knowledge of death-over bowling is particularly valuable in modern T20 cricket, where batters increasingly target boundaries from the beginning of an innings. Malinga can help bowlers develop yorkers, slower balls, changes of pace and plans for different match situations.
His role also extends beyond technical instruction. Young bowlers can learn from his experience of handling pressure, recovering after expensive overs and maintaining confidence against aggressive opposition.
For MI, Malinga’s coaching experience offers continuity with the franchise’s successful past while helping its current bowling group prepare for the demands of IPL 2027.
4. Shaun Pollock – From international all-rounder to coach
Shaun Pollock was one of South Africa’s most accomplished all-rounders and an important early figure in MI’s IPL history. Known for his disciplined fast bowling, economical spells and useful lower-order batting, Pollock brought considerable international experience to the franchise’s inaugural campaign in 2008.
He also captained MI during the first season when Sachin Tendulkar was unavailable. His leadership experience and calm approach made him a respected presence in the dressing room.
After retiring from international cricket, Pollock moved into coaching and mentoring. He served as Mumbai Indians’ coach in 2009 and later returned as mentor and bowling coach for the 2011 season.
His coaching responsibilities drew on the same qualities that made him an effective international cricketer: accuracy, tactical awareness and an understanding of how to build pressure on batters. Rather than relying solely on pace, Pollock’s bowling was built around control, movement and disciplined execution.
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As a mentor, he helped players understand the importance of preparation, consistency and decision-making. These qualities are particularly important in the IPL, where teams must adapt quickly to different pitches, opponents and match situations.
5. Ricky Ponting – Former Mumbai Indians captain turned head coach
Ricky Ponting is another major name associated with Mumbai Indians’ evolution. The former Australia captain represented the franchise as a player and was appointed captain for the 2013 IPL season before handing the leadership over to Rohit Sharma during the campaign.
Ponting’s international career was defined by exceptional leadership, tactical awareness and a winning mentality. As Australia’s captain, he led the team through one of its most successful periods, making his knowledge highly valuable in franchise cricket.
After stepping away from playing, Ponting moved into coaching and became head coach of Mumbai Indians in 2014. His role involved preparing the squad, shaping match strategies and helping players develop the mindset required to compete in the IPL.
Ponting later coached Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL, continuing to build his reputation as a coach with extensive international and franchise experience.
His time with MI was relatively brief compared with some of the franchise’s other long-serving figures, but his transition from an elite international player to an IPL head coach remains an important part of his cricketing journey.