Mumbai Indians announced on Thursday that Lasith Malinga has left the franchise’s men’s coaching setup, ending a three-season spell as bowling coach that ran from IPL 2024 to IPL 2026.
Two others go with him: Paras Mhambrey, who returned as a bowling coach for IPL 2025 and 2026 after an earlier spell from 2010 to 2017, and Carl Hopkinson, the fielding coach who joined ahead of the 2025 season from the England men’s setup, the Daily Mirror reported.
A long association, as player then coach
Malinga’s history with the franchise long predates the coaching role. In its statement, Mumbai Indians called him “an integral part of the Mumbai Indians family and one of the most iconic figures in the franchise’s history”, citing his role in four IPL title triumphs and the 2011 Champions League T20 victory as a bowler before his return as mentor and coach.
“His passion, competitive spirit and commitment to the team have inspired generations of players. His legacy will forever remain an important part of Mumbai Indians,” the statement said.
Of Mhambrey the franchise said he had “brought immense experience, dedication and a deep understanding of the MI culture” across both spells. Of Hopkinson it cited “professionalism, expertise and commitment to improving the team’s fielding standards”.
The second Sri Lankan exit from the MI setup this month
The departure follows Mahela Jayawardene’s exit from the Mumbai Indians head coach role, which this desk reported earlier in October. Two of the franchise’s most senior Sri Lankan figures have now left within a fortnight of each other.
Not reported: the statement gives no reason for any of the three departures, does not say whether they were the franchise’s decision or the coaches’, and names no replacements. It does not say whether Malinga has another role in view, in the IPL or with Sri Lanka Cricket.
Sourcing note: the Daily Mirror filing reproduces a Mumbai Indians statement. A search of ESPNcricinfo and other verified outlets returned no independent report of the departures at the time of writing, so this article rests on a single verified newsroom relaying the franchise’s own announcement.