Mark Boucher appointed Mumbai Indians head coach

Boucher, who is set to step down from his position with South Africa at the end of the upcoming T20 World Cup, will succeed Mahela Jayawardene

Mark Boucher has been named as the new head coach of Mumbai Indians.

Boucher, who is set to step down from his position with South Africa at the end of the upcoming T20 World Cup, will succeed Mahela Jayawardene.

Jayawardene has been elevated into a position overseeing Reliance - the Indians' owners - franchise interests around the world, including MI Cape Town in the SA20 and MI Emirates in International League T20.

Boucher, the former international wicketkeeper, played in the Indian Premier League for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders but has not previously held a senior coaching role in franchise T20 cricket.

^{Mark Boucher is the new head coach of Mumbai Indians [Getty Images]}

He will take the reins ahead of the 2023 IPL campaign, which is set to get under way in March or April.

"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," Boucher said in a statement.

"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."

Boucher faces a stern challenge to emulate the successes of Jayawardene at Mumbai.

Under the Sri Lankans' leadership, the franchise became the most prolific in the IPL's history. They have won five titles but endured disappointing seasons in both 2021 and 2022.