Mumbai Indians (MI) announced the British destination Carl Hopkinson ahead as their new field coach Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The strategic move is part of a wider overhaul of the coaching staff in IPL 2024 after a disappointing campaign in which the franchise finished at the bottom of the points table.
A Look at the New Coaching Staff
Hopkinson brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously worked with a variety of teams, including the England Women’s team and several domestic franchises. His expertise in improving fielding techniques and strategies is expected to improve Mumbai’s performance on the field significantly.
Nicknamed ‘Hoppo’, he coached the Three Lions to second place at the 2022 ICC Under-19 World Cup, their first finals appearance since 1998.
The reshuffle also marked the departure of MI’s long-serving coach. James PammentHe left the franchise after seven remarkable years in which he played a key role in securing two championship titles in 2019 and 2020.
Now, with the appointment of Hopkinson, Mumbai Indians’ coaching staff for IPL 2025 includes:
- Head coach: Mahela Jayawardene
- Batting coach: Kieron Pollard
- Bowling Coaches: Lasith Malinga and Paras Mhambrey
- Field coach: Carl Hopkinson
- Assistant hitting coach: J. Arunkumar
- Strength and Conditioning Coach: Paul Chapman
- Physiotherapist: Craig Gwender
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Expectations from Hopkinson
Mumbai Indians have historically been one of the most successful franchises in IPL history and there are high expectations for Hopkinson to revive their fielding standards. Poor pitching was cited as a contributing factor to their struggles last season and improving this aspect will be crucial to their success in the upcoming tournament.
As the Mumbai-based franchise prepares for IPL 2025, they are focusing on building a strong coaching staff and improving their overall playing strategy. The addition of Hopkinson is seen as a key step in that process and aims to use his skills to be more competitive on the pitch.
