Xtra Time Web Desk: Sri Lankan former legendary batsman Mahela Jayawardene and Indian former pacer Zaheer Khan have been appointed as Mumbai Indians’ Global Head of Performance and Global head of Cricket Development respectively on Wednesday, on their official Twitter handle. .
Mahela Jayawardene was appointed as the Mumbai Indians head coach in 2017 and Zaheer Khan was previously the director of Cricket Operations. Both of them have been promoted for the betterment of the franchise. Mumbai Indians, the most successful team in the history of IPL with 5 times champions, recently expanded their franchise which includes MI Emirates and MI Cape Town. Due to the expansion of the franchise across the globe, Mahela Jayawardene and Zaheer Khan are being elevated to new roles.
After the announcement, Akash Ambani, the Chairman of Reliance said: “I’m happy to have Mahela and Zak as part of our global core team. Both have been an integral part of the MI family and embody the spirit of the cricket MI stands for. I’m confident that they would be able to ensure the same flows through all our teams globally and make a difference in the cricketing ecosystems across the globe.”
Mahela Jayawardene, the current Global Head of Performance of Mumbai Indians said, “It is an absolute honour for me to lead MI’s global cricket operations. Mrs. Ambani and Akash’s leadership and guidance have made MI the most valued global cricket franchise and I am very happy to see MI grow globally. I look forward to this new responsibility to build a strong cohesive global brand of cricket.”
Zaheer Khan, the current Global Head of Cricket Development of Mumbai Indians stated, “I am humbled to take on this new role and thank Mrs. Nita Ambani and Akash for their faith in me. MI has been home for me as a player and as a coaching team member, and now as we embark on a new journey, I look ahead to working closely with all the stakeholders in the global network to unearth new potential that can join the family.”
As per the sources, the new head coach of Mumbai Indians will be announced soon.