Mumbai Indians appoint Mark Boucher as their new Head Coach

The five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians have named Mark Boucher as their new Head Coach. The former South African cricketer replaces Mahela Jayawardene who has now been elevated to the role of the Head of Global Performance for the MI group. Boucher is set to relinquish his duties as the head coach of the South African national men’s team after the T20 World Cup.

Mark Boucher was heavily rumoured to take up the top job for Mumbai. Former Australian cricketer Simon Katich was also in the running but he was named as the Head Coach of the MI Cape Town side.  Boucher had a long and illustrious career as a wicket-keeper, batsman in international cricket. He holds the record for the most Test dismissals by a wicket-keeper.

Boucher’s previous venture in the IPL support staff was that as the wicketkeeping consultant of Kolkata Knight Riders in 2016. However, his major coaching success was with the Titans, a top-level cricket franchise in South Africa. He led them to five domestic titles. In 2019, Cricket South Africa appointed Mark Boucher as the head coach where he delivered 11 Test wins, 12 ODI and 23 T20I victories.

Reflecting on his appointment, Boucher said, “It is an honour and privilege to be appointed as Head Coach of MI. Their history and achievements as a franchise clearly put them up there as one of the most successful sporting franchises in all of world sport. I look forward to the challenge and respect the need for results. It’s a strong unit with great leadership and players. I look forward to adding value to this dynamic unit.”