The green machine at Wankhede is grinding to a halt. Kieron Pollard officially took over as head coach from Mahela Jayawardene on Saturday, and now the 5-time champions are in full panic mode—well, strategic mode—to complete their coaching tree before the 2027 season kicks off.
The assistant coach job is the last missing puzzle piece. Four names are in the mix: Aaron Finch, another seasoned Australian T20I veteran, and two former India internationals. Finch has been the front-runner for weeks, but the competition is getting spicy. Pollard is personally involved in these huddles, and a decision could drop within the next seven days.
Meanwhile, the fielding department is nearly locked in. T Dilip is the clear favorite to take charge, barring any last-second drama. The bowling duo of Lasith Malinga and Paras Mhambrey will stick around, giving Pollard a stable base to build on.
But the real headache isn't just about coaching roles. It's about the captain. Will Mumbai Indians bet on young gun Tilak Varma, or bring back the experienced hands of Rohit Sharma? The franchise is terrified of repeating the internal chaos that followed the Hardik Pandya trade from Gujarat Titans.
Expect the trade rumors to explode as the retention deadline approaches. The next few weeks will decide if MI stays a powerhouse or starts sliding down the table.