Shane Bond Leaves Mumbai Indians After 9 Long Years

image-lnvrrmkkShane Bond was bowling coach of Mumbai Indians (X.com)

Former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond parted ways with the legendary Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians (MI) after a nine-year-long fruitful association on Wednesday (October 18). 

Bond, who joined the MI's esteemed coaching set-up back in 2015 and oversaw four successful title-winning campaigns in the immensely popular IPL, brought down the curtains on his "illustrious career" as a bowling consultant for the franchise. 

The 48-year-old notably enjoyed great trust and faith within the expanding MI set-up and had been appointed head coach of MI's UAE-based International League T20 (ILT20) side 'MI Emirates' for the new league's inaugural edition last year. 

The franchise bid a fitting tribute to Bond and expressed heartfelt gratitude for his contribution over the years in their successful endeavours and overall journey from being the also-rans of the IPL until 2012 to becoming the most successful domestic T20 side of the world in the last decade. 

Bond Leaves MI Franchise With Gratitude 

"I would like to thank the Ambani family for the opportunity to be part of MI One Family for the last nine seasons. It has been an incredible experience with so many great memories on and off the field," Bond said in a media release issued by the Mumbai franchise. I have been lucky enough to work with and have strong relationships with so many great people, both players and staff. I will miss them all and wish them all the best for the future. Finally thanks to the MI Paltan for their support as well."

MI appreciated Bond for his service to the franchise in the IPL and ILT20, highlighting that his "approach to bowling was that of an artist, able to master the conditions and deliver for the team, as a player, leader and then as a coach."

The franchise was particularly pleased with how Bond managed to "blend the experience of the international players with the local domestic players" during his stint as head coach of MI Emirates. The much-followed outfit ended third in the league table before losing the Qualifier 2 to Gulf Giants.