Mumbai Indians reset: Two former India cricketers battle it out for assistant coach post; T Dilip probably as a fielding coach

Akash Ambani and MI head coach Keiron Pollard (Image credit: X) NEW DELHI: Top-flight Mumbai Indians have huddled to complete the Kieron Pollard-led support staff for the upcoming season. The five-time champions have four options for the assistant coach position: Aaron Finch, another experienced T20I cricketer from Australia and two former India cricketers, one of whom has also represented the franchise in the past.It is reliably learned that Finch’s name has been mooted for the past few weeks, but he is likely to face stiff competition from the other three candidates as the franchise finalizes the right person in the coming week. Pollard is actively involved in the discussions surrounding his representative.For the fielding coach position, T Dilip is the front-runner provided there is no late change of mind from either side. Bowling coaches Lasith Malinga and Paras Mhambrey will continue in the 2027 edition and an assistant coach is the only missing piece that needs to fit into place for the IPL giants.Pollard replaced Mahela Jayawardene as head coach on Saturday and will look to get Mumbai Indians back on track in the cash-rich league. The West Indian will also have to deal with Hardik Pandya’s captaincy and business matters and clarity on the two is expected in the coming weeks.It remains to be seen whether the franchise will invest in Tilak Varma, India’s vice-captain and highly rated cricketer, or go back to a veteran batsman like Rohit Sharma to set things right before the mega auction resets. The captain-coach dynamic also needs to be taken into consideration before taking on the major challenge as MI would not want the internal turbulence they faced when Pandya was traded from Gujarat Titans to replace Rohit as captain. We have an interesting few weeks ahead of us.As for the Pandya trade, activity is likely to pick up as the retention deadline approaches.