IPL 10: Mahela Jayawardene replaces Ricky Ponting as Mumbai Indians head coach

New Delhi: Two-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have appointed Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene as the new head on Friday. He will replace another legend, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. The 10th edition of cash-rich franchise-based Twenty20 tournament is likely to start from April 5 next year.

The Mumbai-based franchise announced the new development today. In a Twitter post, MI wrote, "We welcome one of the most elegant & graceful batsmen of the modern era, @MahelaJay as the new Head Coach of Mumbai Indians. #WelcomeMahela."

We welcome one of the most elegant & graceful batsmen of the modern era, @MahelaJay as the new Head Coach of Mumbai Indians. #WelcomeMahela pic.twitter.com/wFlulxw4iM — Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) November 18, 2016

Jayawardene, 39, had previously played for other IPL frachises Kings XI Punjab, Kochi Tuskers and Delhi Daredevils. Regarded as one of the most elegant batsmen, Jayawardene played 149 Tests, 448 ODIs and 55 T20Is for Sri Lanka, scoring over 25000 international runs.

Paltan, our new Head coach, @MahelaJay has a special message for you. Listen up! #WelcomeMahela pic.twitter.com/gxGBoMGwBx

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) November 18, 2016

He won the 2014 World Twenty20, and was part of the Lankan team which made to the finals of the 2007 and 2011 Cricket World Cups, and 2009 and 2012 World Twenty20 tournaments. He also captained Sri Lanka.

He retired from Test cricket in 2014, and from ODIs next year. He last played for Sri Lanka in the quarter-final defeat to South Africa in 2015 Cricket World Cup.

More recently, Jayawardene served as a batting consultant for England ahead of their Test series against Pakistan in the UAE.

Ponting, who spent four seasons with MI both as a player and coach, led a strong backroom staff which guided the team to two IPL titles in 2013 and 2015. He joined MI in 2013 as team captain, then dropped himself midway giving the reigns to Rohit Sharma.

The 10th edition of Indian Premier League is likely to begin from April 5 next year, less than a week after the Test series against Australia ends on March 29, but the players' auction will be held in Bengaluru on February 4.

"There is a proposal to start IPL 10 from April 5. The auctions will happen in Bengaluru on February 4. We had to keep a gap of one week after the Australia series," Shukla told reporters after the Governing Council meeting called to discuss operational issues pertaining to the cash-rich league early this month.