3 reasons why MI parting ways with Lasith Malinga ahead of IPL 2027 is the right move

Mumbai Indians (MI) have decided to part ways with Lasith Malinga before IPL 2027, closing an important chapter in their history. While Malinga’s impact on the five-time champions is clear, his exit might be needed as the team tries to rebuild and compete for titles again.

On October 29, 2026, the franchise announced that Malinga, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach Carl Hopkinson would leave the men's coaching staff. This news came after head coach Mahela Jayawardene left and former captain Kieron Pollard was named as his replacement.

Malinga has been with Mumbai Indians since 2009, first joining as a player. He took 170 wickets in 122 IPL matches, helped MI win four IPL titles, and was key in building the team’s reputation for strong fast bowlers. He returned as the bowling coach before the 2024 season after two years coaching at Rajasthan Royals.

These changes suggest a bigger restructuring, not just a single staff change. With IPL 2027 coming up, here are three reasons why letting go of Malinga might be the right move for Mumbai.

#1 Mumbai Indians need a fresh start after another disappointing season

The main reason for changing the coaching staff is how Mumbai Indians performed in IPL 2026. Even with many top international players, the team finished ninth out of ten and missed the playoffs for the fourth time in six seasons, winning only four out of 14 matches.

For a team that won five IPL titles from 2013 to 2020, these results are hard to ignore. MI last won in 2020 and has since struggled to keep up the consistency that once made them one of the strongest teams in the league.

The poor season led to Jayawardene leaving and Pollard becoming head coach. Malinga’s exit is part of this change, giving the new leaders a chance to review the coaching setup without sticking to old arrangements.

This doesn’t mean Malinga was the only reason for the team’s problems. Bowling results depend on the players, their performance, the opponents, pitch conditions, and decisions made during the game.

Still, a team that keeps falling short of expectations needs to look at every part of its setup. Keeping coaches just because they were part of past wins could mix up loyalty with smart planning.

A new coaching team could bring in new training ideas, clearer goals, and a stronger focus on performing under pressure. For Pollard, starting with more control over his staff could help him set his own style.

#2 MI needs a bowling strategy built around their current squad, not their past

Malinga is rightly known as one of the best death bowlers in T20 cricket. His skill with yorkers and slower balls, and his ability to stay calm under pressure, made him a key player during MI’s best years.

But coaching is different from playing. A good bowling coach needs to turn personal experience into a system that fits different players, opponents, and match situations.

MI’s bowling needs have changed significantly since Malinga last played. The team now has to handle different roles in the powerplay, middle overs, and death overs, and prepare for changing conditions at each venue. The challenge isn’t just teaching bowlers how to bowl yorkers, but also when to use them, what to do if they don’t work, and how to adjust if batters figure out their plans.

Malinga’s knowledge remains useful, but MI might benefit from a new approach. A different bowling coach could bring fresh ideas about matchups, defensive fielding, bowling variations, and managing each player’s workload.

It’s important that Mhambrey is also leaving. With both bowling coaches gone, MI can rethink how they split up technical coaching, tactical planning, and player development.

This could help MI set up a clearer bowling program rather than just swapping one coach for another and keeping everything else the same.

#3 The Pollard era requires a distinct identity and greater accountability

With Pollard now head coach, MI has another reason to rethink their coaching setup. A new coach should be able to pick a team that matches his leadership style, preparation, and tactics.

Pollard knows MI well from his time as a player. He played a big part in their championship wins, and his experience in high-pressure T20 games means he understands what the team needs.

But being head coach is different from playing. Pollard now has to manage preparation, lead the coaching staff, set expectations, and ensure everyone’s role contributes to the team's performance.

Keeping staff from the old setup can help with continuity, but it can also make it tough for a new coach to build his own identity. By letting Malinga go, MI gives Pollard space to shape the team his way.

This change also lets MI bring in more accountability. Instead of judging coaches by their reputation or past wins, the team can now set clear goals, such as better death bowling, fewer extras, developing young bowlers, and better plans for each opponent.

Such benchmarks, with clear goals, would help the coaching team respond better to the squad's needs. They’d also make it easier to see whether problems stem from individual mistakes or whether the team needs to change how it prepares or approaches tactics.

There is, of course, a risk. Overhauling a coaching staff can disrupt established working relationships, remove institutional knowledge and force players to adapt to unfamiliar methods. Malinga's understanding of MI's culture and his experience working with elite fast bowlers are assets that cannot be replaced overnight.

So, Pollard and MI’s management need to ensure they retain important knowledge while also welcoming new ideas. Changing staff only helps if it leads to better preparation and clearer decisions.

Still, a new head coach needs the authority to build a team around his vision. In that context, Malinga's departure still means a new head coach should have the power to build a team that fits his vision. In this way, letting Malinga go gives MI a chance to align the support staff with their plans for 2027.

Looking for fast live cricket scores? Download CricRocket and get fast score updates, top-notch commentary in-depth match stats & much more! 🚀☄️