Two-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians announced that former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene would succeed Ricky Ponting as the head coach at the franchise. The announcement came less than 48 hours after Rod Marsh quit as Australia's chairman of selectors. Ponting, one of Australia's greatest cricketers, is a top contender to replace Marsh, alongside his predecessor Steve Waugh. For the record, Ponting's two-year contract with the Mumbai Indians was coming to an end and the only way forward for the franchise was to either extend the Australian's term for another season or bring in a new hand. Ponting is learnt to have conveyed to MI that he will not be in a position to continue. The 41-year-old, Australia's most successful run-getter, is expected to accept a bigger responsibility back home. Whether that responsibility is that of a chief selector or something else, has to be seen. Ponting's name, however, has also been doing the rounds for a commentary stint with BT Sports at the 2017 Ashes.
