“Well I think there was a lot to miss”

It’s not that Mahela Jayawardene was completely off the IPL mix. In the two years as Mumbai Indians’ Global Head of Performance, successfully setting up four new teams in four new leagues, he was a constant at the MI Auction table. But this new role is more of the old, and he’s quickly transported back to the madness he’s been through time and again over six seasons as MI’s Head Coach.

“The adrenaline, everything is going to be exciting. Something I’m looking forward to. From the time you try and plan the squad. Obviously it is a big auction, so retention and then trying to build the squad. Sweating it out and being a part of that heartbeat of things happening out there at the Wankhede, or any other place,” Jayawardene says in a chat with Mumbai Indians.

There’s no doubt the same heartbeat would’ve been shooting through the roof in the IPL Finals of 2017 and 2019, with MI absolutely stretching every cell on the field to ensure the match didn’t slip away while defending an under-par total. And surprisingly, it’s those moments MJ holds dearest.

“The two championships that we won, 2017 and 2019, were unbelievable games,” he said.

“Both those games, we probably were not in it. The character the guys showed, the calmness, the decision-making, it was unbelievable, that fighting spirit. I still remember the joy in the dugout, guys running onto the field and enjoying that moment.

“I obviously would stand still for a bit because those were new experiences for me and then for you to go through that in that situation is amazing. It’s tough but those are those finer moments. You win a lot of matches, but the championship games, being there, fighting for that last ball was amazing. I truly enjoyed those two wins because they were quite unique.”

Let’s face it, the last year was rather rough. Our fans, our Paltan, our lifeline, we know, are always by us, like a rock. They might be very vocal in support and disappointment, and that’s only because they care. And we’d have nothing else.

“You saw how the emotions, the rollercoaster they had over the years. We are responsible for putting them through that,” he says.

“They are genuine fans. I know they write things on social media with that passion. They want a successful franchise. That is a part of being in a franchise. They are a part of that. We truly understand that. I know they are always going to support us as long as we show that hunger, passion and that value of playing for Mumbai.”

Kieron Pollard, the Wankhede Llord, and Lasith Malinga, the stump-shredding slingaa, two of Mahela’s trump cards as Head Coach in his previous stint, are now all set to join him as Batting and Bowling Coaches respectively. And Mahela’s excitement at having them by his side, plotting strategies all over again, is palpable.

“Lasith and Polly are two amazing individuals. They bring different aspects of the game. They bring a wealth of experience as well. They are true and true MI players. They’ve been here for many years and they have a huge passion to be a part of it and be successful again. I have watched them from outside, the last few years, how they operated. It was very nice to see that. Now I get to sit in the same room and strategise alongside them. I’m definitely looking forward to it, and yeah, it’ll be exciting,” he added.  

Whether it was the growth of the then 27-year-old Suryakumar Yadav into the monster 360-dergree batter SKY we know today, or the transitioning of Hardik Pandya into beast mode, or the becoming of a young nippy bowler with an unorthodox action into the all-format legend that Jasprit Bumrah is today, he was there through them all, facilitating, overseeing, enabling.

Let’s bring home #6, Coach!