Zaheer Khan, Mahela Jayawardene Handed New Roles As Members Of Mumbai Indians’ ‘Central Team’

Mumbai Indians have given Zaheer Khan and Mahela Jayawardene additional responsibilities as members of a “central team” to ensure uniformity throughout the organization’s three T20I teams: Mumbai Indians, MI Emirates (of the International T20 League), and MI Cape Town (of SA20). 

After the proprietors of the Mumbai Indians acquired the two new franchises, the top coaching positions were streamlined. 

The debut seasons of the ILT20 and SA20 will both take place in January and February of the following year.

A Central Team Would Ensure Consistency Across The ‘One Family Of Teams: Mumbai Indians Management

Because of his vast experience as a player and captain for international teams as well as a coach in franchise T20 cricket, the owners believed that one person should be in charge of the coaching arm globally in light of the altered circumstances. Jayawardene was the ideal candidate for this position. 

“A central team would ensure consistency across the ‘One family of teams’, on ethos, values, and learning,” Mumbai Indians stated in a communique.

Zaheer Khan, who is now the Director of Cricket Operations for the IPL, will now represent Mumbai Indians as the Global Head of Cricket Development. He will oversee “player development, building on MI’s robust programme around talent identification and grooming and adopting the same across geographies.” 

Mahela Jayawardene, who serves as head coach at the moment, has been named global head of performance. 

His job will be to provide “senior leadership of the group’s cricket operations worldwide, including overall strategic planning, the creation of an integrated global high-performance ecosystem, as well as responsibility for each team’s coaching and support structures, working closely with the team head coaches to ensure synergies, a consistent brand of cricket, and implementation of best practices set by MI.” 

Mahela Jayawardene Already On Work

Mahela Jayawardene has already begun working in his new position and was involved in the negotiations that led to Mark Boucher joining MI Cape Town as head coach.

In August, Jayawardene participated in the procedure to choose the five direct acquisitions for the SA20 team. At the SA20 player auction, which is slated for September 19 in Cape Town, he will also be seated next to Boucher.

In six seasons, the Jayawardene-Rohit Sharma team has advanced to three IPL finals and, astonishingly, has won the championship each time. Apart from the Super Kings, they are the only team with five IPL championships and the only team to successfully defend the title in 2020. 

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