Mark Boucher is reportedly the front-runner to replace Mahela Jayawardene as head coach of the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

Boucher had been tipped to take charge of the MI Cape Town franchise in the new SA20 league, but the Mumbai Indians group announced on Thursday that former Australia batsman Simon Katich would occupy that role.

Katich will be assisted by Hashim Amla as the batting coach, while Robin Peterson will be the team’s general manager and James Pamment the fielding coach.

“I’m thrilled to take up this assignment with MI Cape Town,” said Amla. “A big thanks to the MI owners, management and my manager for facilitating this so smoothly. From everything they have planned, it looks like it’s going to be an amazing platform that will attract our local talent.”

HOWZIT, HASHIM!

Here we go! @amlahash has officially joined MI Cape Town as our batting coach. 🤩

Read more here: https://t.co/r5u0Wwwtsp#OneFamily #MICapeTown #SA20 @SA20_League pic.twitter.com/cQxjF0alwb

— MI Cape Town (@MICapeTown) September 15, 2022

Amla added: “Bringing my experience as a player and mentor I am excited to help MI Cape Town players bring the best out of themselves and also make SA cricket stronger.”

According to ESPNcrinfo, Boucher – who will leave his role as Proteas head coach after the T20 World Cup in Australia – is now in line to coach the Mumbai Indians IPL team, with Jayawardene, the head coach since 2017, having been elevated to the group’s global head of performance.