MI Emirates announce coaching staff for ILT20, Shane Bond named head coach

MI Emirates has announced their coaching staff for the first-ever season of UAE’s International League T20. The Mumbai Indians-owned franchise has appointed Shane Bond as the head coach of the team, giving him another responsibility under their brand apart from his role with Mumbai Indians at the IPL as the bowling coach.

The Mumbai Indians’ talent scout Parthiv Patel will act as the team’s batting coach making his debut in the role, and joining him would be Vinay Kumar as the bowling coach. Former Mumbai Indians player and all-rounder James Franklin will be the team’s fielding coach. Apart from that, former India all-rounder and UAE’s director of cricket Robin Singh will join MI Emirates as General Manager, Cricket.

Shane Bond joined the Mumbai Indians in 2015, and since then, he has helped the team win four championships, develop a strong working style, and assist bowlers in reaching their full potential on the international arena. Since joining the Mumbai Indians coaching staff in 2010, Robin Singh has engaged in five IPL and two Champions League seasons while collaborating frequently with Shane Bond.

Robin's involvement with UAE cricket will be beneficial as the MI Emirates plan to expand their brand of cricket in the UAE. Parthiv Patel, who has previously represented Mumbai Indians, has been a member of the talent scouting squad since 2020, while Vinay Kumar, another former Mumbai Indians player, joined Patel in the scouting squad in 2021.

I’m looking forward to furthering the MI legacy: Bond

Ahead of the first UAE International League T20, MI Emirates revealed its lineup. The team, which will be based in Abu Dhabi, will have a mix of former and present MI players as well as the new emerging stars of the game.

“I welcome Shane, Robin, Parthiv, Vinay and James to their new roles in MI Emirates. Having been an integral part of MI for various periods of time, the coaching team is exceptionally well-versed in the values that make MI what it is. I’m sure they would be able to build MI Emirates as a team that attracts the love of passionate MI fans,” Mr. Akash M. Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Jio Infocomm, was quoted in the statement released by Mumbai Indians.

Mr. Shane Bond, Head Coach, MI Emirates, said: “It’s a privilege to be appointed the Head Coach of MI Emirates. It’s always exciting to build a new team and I’m looking forward to furthering the MI legacy and inspiring our players to take the game to new heights.”