Robin Uthappa Appointed Mumbai Indians Batting Coach for IPL 2027

New Batting Coach: Former India batter and two-time IPL winner Robin Uthappa has been appointed as the Mumbai Indians (MI) batting coach ahead of IPL 2027.

Backroom Staff Additions: MI has also brought in Mitchell McClenaghan as bowling coach, T Dilip as fielding coach, and Dhawal Kulkarni as development bowling coach.

Kulkarni, who played 12 ODIs and two T20Is for India, also represented MI, first from 2008 to 2013 and then again in 2020 and 2021. He was part of the MI side which won its first IPL title, in 2013, and then again in 2020. Apart from the IPL, Kulkarni also played for MI in the Champions League 2012-13.

Leadership Context: These appointments follow the recent appointment of Kieron Pollard as head coach after he replaced Mahela Jayawardene, alongside the departure of previous coaches Lasith Malinga, Paras Mhambrey, and Carl Hopkinson.

Player-Turned-Coach Connections

Uthappa's History with MI: Uthappa previously played for MI during the inaugural IPL season in 2008, scoring 320 runs in 14 matches. Throughout his career, he lifted the IPL trophy with two other franchises: the Kolkata Knight Riders (2014) and Chennai Super Kings (2021).

McClenaghan's Success: The former New Zealand fast bowler represented MI across five seasons (2015–2019), taking 71 wickets in 56 matches and winning titles in 2015 and 2019.

Kulkarni's Return: Local stalwart Dhawal Kulkarni, who played 12 ODIs and two T20Is for India, previously played for MI from 2008–2013 and again in 2020–2021, picking up titles in 2013 and 2020.

Dilip's Pedigree: T Dilip joins MI after serving as the Indian men's team fielding coach from 2021 through early 2025.

Next Steps

Upcoming Auction: The newly formed coaching staff's first major task will be preparing for the mini-auction for IPL 2027, scheduled for December 16 in Goa.