IPL 2025: Has Sachin Tendulkar Left Mumbai Indians After Mahela Jayawardene’s Return to Franchise?
Cricket’s most glittering spectacle, the Indian Premier League (IPL), is no stranger to high-profile shake-ups, both on and off the field. However, the latest drama brewing in the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp could be its most seismic yet. With Mahela Jayawardene’s unexpected return to the franchise in a prominent role, whispers abound: Has Sachin Tendulkar, the living legend and MI’s icon, parted ways with his beloved team?
Mahela’s Return: A Surprising Twist
When Mahela Jayawardene returned to Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2025 IPL season, many saw it as a masterstroke. Having previously served as MI’s head coach and guiding them to multiple titles, his comeback has injected fresh hope into a team that has been struggling for form over the last two seasons. After stepping away in 2023 for a stint with global cricketing ventures, Jayawardene’s return was supposed to be seamless. But behind the scenes, tensions have reportedly risen.
In a twist that few expected, sources suggest that Mahela’s re-entry has created friction with one of the most untouchable figures in world cricket—Sachin Tendulkar, the ‘God of Cricket’ himself. Tendulkar, who has served as MI’s team mentor since his retirement in 2013, has been synonymous with the team’s brand. His presence alone has been enough to command reverence both in the dressing room and among the fan base. So, why are we hearing murmurs of his exit?
A Power Struggle Brewing?
While Tendulkar has historically stayed away from day-to-day management decisions, there’s no denying his influence in the franchise. His mentorship has played a crucial role in shaping young talents like Jasprit Bumrah and Ishan Kishan. But insiders claim that Jayawardene’s return has come with expanded powers, including more direct control over not just coaching, but also talent development—an area where Sachin’s opinions have always carried weight.
According to those close to the franchise, this has created an awkward overlap in roles. Tendulkar’s advisory influence, often unchallenged, may have been diluted, with Jayawardene now exerting more authority in key decisions. Is this a clash of cricketing philosophies? Or is it simply a case of two massive egos, both legends in their own right, struggling to coexist in the same ecosystem?
Sachin’s Absence: A Sign of Things to Come?
Adding fuel to the fire, Tendulkar was conspicuously absent from key pre-season events for IPL 2025, including MI’s annual team launch and strategy discussions. While official statements claim that this was due to “personal reasons,” many have speculated whether Sachin is quietly distancing himself from the franchise. Is this absence a prelude to his complete departure from the Mumbai Indians setup?
The timing of these developments is also curious. With Arjun Tendulkar, Sachin’s son, now a regular feature in the MI squad, one would expect Sachin to be even more involved. Instead, his noticeable absence raises questions about whether the return of Jayawardene has pushed him to reconsider his role in the franchise.
Fractured Leadership or Healthy Competition?
Of course, there are always two sides to the story. Some argue that the supposed rift between Tendulkar and Jayawardene is exaggerated by media speculation. MI has always been a franchise that prides itself on promoting diverse viewpoints and fostering internal competition. Could this tension simply be a byproduct of that culture? Perhaps, this is less about a power struggle and more about the natural evolution of a franchise looking to adapt to new challenges in an increasingly competitive IPL landscape.
However, for those who have followed the history of MI, it is hard to ignore the optics. Sachin Tendulkar is not just a team mentor—he is the face of Mumbai Indians. Any marginalization of his influence would represent a fundamental shift in the identity of the team.
The Future of Mumbai Indians: A Team at a Crossroads?
The question now looms large: Can Mumbai Indians afford to lose Sachin Tendulkar? With an aging squad and an inconsistent performance over the last two IPL seasons, MI is at a crossroads. Jayawardene’s return has undoubtedly brought back a sense of tactical sharpness, but losing Tendulkar—if that indeed is on the horizon—could alienate a vast section of their loyal fan base. It could also impact the morale of the team, particularly younger players who have grown up idolizing the master batsman.
On the other hand, if Jayawardene’s vision for the franchise necessitates this break, Mumbai Indians may emerge stronger and more dynamic. Sacrifices, even of the most iconic figures, are sometimes necessary to keep evolving in a league as cutthroat as the IPL. But is this a sacrifice too far?
Conclusion: A Rift in the Making, or Just Speculation?
As the IPL 2025 approaches, one thing is clear—Mumbai Indians are entering a period of significant transformation. Whether Sachin Tendulkar’s apparent absence is the beginning of a larger departure remains to be seen, but if he does choose to step back, it would mark the end of an era for both MI and the IPL itself.
The stakes are high, and as always in the IPL, drama is never far behind. Whether this is a temporary hiccup or the start of a deepening divide, fans will be eagerly watching to see how this storyline unfolds. After all, in the world of T20 cricket, nothing stays static for long—except, perhaps, the legend of Sachin Tendulkar.