Mumbai Indians have appointed former India batter Robin Uthappa as their batting coach for the IPL 2027 season, confirming a reshaped coaching group on October 30, 2026. Uthappa will work under head coach Kieron Pollard, with Mitchell McClenaghan named bowling coach, T. Dilip appointed fielding coach and Dhawal Kulkarni taking the development bowling coach role.
The appointments bring several former Mumbai Indians players back into the franchise's setup. Uthappa represented MI in the inaugural IPL season in 2008, while McClenaghan and Kulkarni also return after playing for the team. The announcement follows a wider change in the coaching structure, with Pollard taking over as head coach after Mahela Jayawardene's departure.
Uthappa returns to Mumbai Indians in a coaching role
Uthappa's appointment marks a return to the franchise where he played during the first edition of the IPL. The former India international was part of the squad that won the inaugural ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2007, bringing experience from international cricket, domestic competitions and several IPL campaigns to his new role.
Mumbai Indians said Uthappa will work on developing the team's batting, improving tactical decision-making and helping players adjust to the changing demands of T20 cricket. The Indian Express reported that this will be his first major coaching stint with an IPL team. His previous experience as a player with MI gives him familiarity with the franchise, while the new position places him in a key role in shaping the batting group.
Uthappa's appointment also fills the batting coach position after Pollard's elevation to head coach. Pollard had been part of the franchise's coaching setup before taking charge of the team for the upcoming season.
McClenaghan, T. Dilip and Kulkarni complete the new group
Former New Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan has been appointed bowling coach. He represented Mumbai Indians between 2015 and 2020 and was part of the franchise's IPL title-winning campaigns in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. His return gives the bowling unit a coach with direct experience of the team's successful seasons and its approach to T20 cricket.
T. Dilip has been named fielding coach after his work with the India men's team. The Mumbai Indians announcement noted that he was part of the coaching setup during India's 2024 and 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup triumphs and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy win. His appointment adds an experienced international-level fielding specialist to Pollard's staff.
Dhawal Kulkarni will take up the role of development bowling coach. A two-time IPL champion with Mumbai Indians, he was part of the title-winning teams in 2013 and 2020 and represented the franchise across two spells. The team said his year-round role will focus on developing bowling talent, particularly young Indian bowlers, and supporting continuity in its performance programme.
Pollard leads Mumbai Indians into IPL 2027
The new coaching group will work under Pollard as Mumbai Indians prepare for the 2027 season. The franchise described the staff as a combination of people familiar with its culture and coaches with international experience. The stated priorities include player development, building a high-performance environment and preparing the squad for the demands of the competition.
The appointments come after Mumbai Indians moved on from bowling coach Lasith Malinga, additional bowling coach Paras Mhambrey and fielding coach Carl Hopkinson. The changes followed Jayawardene's departure from the head coach position and Pollard's promotion. The new structure therefore represents a broad reshaping of the support staff rather than a single coaching appointment.
What the appointments mean for Mumbai Indians
Uthappa's role will be central to the batting unit, while McClenaghan takes charge of bowling and Dilip oversees fielding. Kulkarni's development remit gives the franchise a dedicated focus on its bowling talent pipeline, particularly Indian players. Together, the appointments give Pollard a coaching team with both former MI players and staff members who have worked at international level.
For the franchise, the challenge now is to translate the new coaching structure into performances during IPL 2027. The announcement sets out the responsibilities of each coach, but the impact will be judged by how the team develops its players and performs across the season. Uthappa's return is one of the headline changes in a group built around Pollard's leadership and a renewed emphasis on development.
Frequently asked questions
Who has Mumbai Indians appointed as batting coach for IPL 2027?
Mumbai Indians have appointed former India batter Robin Uthappa as their batting coach for the IPL 2027 season. The franchise confirmed the appointment on October 30, 2026. Uthappa previously represented Mumbai Indians in the inaugural IPL season in 2008 and was part of India's 2007 T20 World Cup-winning squad.
Who are the new coaches in Mumbai Indians' IPL 2027 support staff?
Mumbai Indians have named Robin Uthappa as batting coach, Mitchell McClenaghan as bowling coach, T. Dilip as fielding coach and Dhawal Kulkarni as development bowling coach. They will work under head coach Kieron Pollard as the franchise prepares for the 2027 season.
Who is the head coach of Mumbai Indians for IPL 2027?
Kieron Pollard is the head coach of Mumbai Indians for IPL 2027. He was elevated to the role after Mahela Jayawardene's departure. Pollard will lead the revamped coaching group, which includes Robin Uthappa, Mitchell McClenaghan, T. Dilip and Dhawal Kulkarni.
Did Robin Uthappa play for Mumbai Indians before becoming coach?
Yes. Robin Uthappa represented Mumbai Indians in the inaugural IPL season in 2008. His appointment as batting coach brings him back to the franchise in a coaching capacity. The Indian Express described the position as his first major coaching stint with an IPL team.
Which role will Mitchell McClenaghan and Dhawal Kulkarni take at Mumbai Indians?
Mitchell McClenaghan has been appointed Mumbai Indians' bowling coach, while Dhawal Kulkarni will serve as development bowling coach. McClenaghan represented MI from 2015 to 2020 and was part of four title-winning campaigns. Kulkarni won IPL titles with the franchise in 2013 and 2020.