Mumbai Indians appoint Bharucha to spearhead performance rebuild

Mumbai Indians have named Zubin Bharucha as their new Director of Performance, adding an experienced figure to a franchise seeking renewed direction. The 56‑year‑old previously served long stints with Rajasthan Royals, first as team director and later as Director of Cricket Operations, where he played a key role in developing talents such as Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

In a statement, Mumbai Indians said Bharucha will work closely with the club’s multi‑disciplinary leadership group, overseeing all performance areas within the MI ecosystem. He will collaborate with head coach Mahela Jayawardene and his staff while managing the team’s off‑season program.

The appointment comes at a crucial moment for Mumbai, who have not won the IPL since 2020 and have reached the playoffs only twice since, enduring two last‑place finishes. Bharucha’s arrival signals a renewed focus on structure, development and long‑term competitiveness for the five‑time champions.