Mark Boucher Takes Charge of MI Emirates Ahead of ILT20 Season 5

MI Emirates have appointed Mark Boucher as their new head coach ahead of the fifth season of the DP World International League T20. The former South Africa wicketkeeper-batter returns to the Mumbai Indians franchise network after previous coaching roles with Mumbai Indians and MI New York.

Boucher takes over from Robin Singh, who was in charge when MI Emirates won their first ILT20 championship in 2024. The coaching change comes as the franchise prepares to rebuild its squad for the upcoming season.

Boucher Returns to the Mumbai Indians Setup

Boucher has already worked extensively within the Mumbai Indians system. He served as head coach of Mumbai Indians during the 2023 and 2024 IPL seasons before moving to MI New York in Major League Cricket.

His association with the wider MI setup now extends to the UAE, where he will lead MI Emirates during ILT20 Season 5.

Success With MI New York

After his time with Mumbai Indians, Boucher took charge of MI New York in Major League Cricket. He guided the franchise to the MLC championship in 2024, adding another franchise T20 title to his coaching record.

That experience in a developing T20 competition will now be valuable as Boucher prepares to work with MI Emirates and their international squad in the UAE.

Robin Singh's Tenure Comes to an End

Boucher replaces Robin Singh, who led MI Emirates to their maiden ILT20 title in 2024. Singh had been an important part of the franchise's coaching setup and oversaw the team's run to the final during the 2025-26 season.

MI Emirates finished as runners-up in the previous edition after losing the final to Desert Vipers. The franchise will now begin a new campaign under Boucher.

MI Emirates Already Have Four Pre-Auction Signings

The franchise has retained a strong core ahead of the Season 5 player auction. Nicholas Pooran, Rashid Khan, Romario Shepherd and Sherfane Rutherford were confirmed as MI Emirates' four pre-auction signings.

The remaining squad will be built during the ILT20 auction in Dubai on October 1. Each franchise will have a base auction purse of USD 1.3 million, in addition to any unused amount from the direct-signing and retention allocation.

Season 5 Begins in November

ILT20 Season 5 is scheduled to run from November 22 to December 20, 2026. Six franchises will compete across a 34-match tournament in the United Arab Emirates.

The upcoming auction will be an important stage for MI Emirates as Boucher and the franchise management determine the squad that will represent the team during the new season.

A Fresh Coaching Chapter

Boucher's appointment gives MI Emirates an experienced coach with exposure to international cricket and multiple franchise leagues. His previous roles with South Africa, Mumbai Indians and MI New York have included working with players from different cricketing backgrounds and managing high-pressure T20 environments.

His immediate task will be to establish the team's plans for Season 5 while integrating the existing core with the players selected at the auction.

MI Emirates Look to Return to the Top

After reaching the ILT20 final in the previous season, MI Emirates will enter the new campaign looking to go one step further. With Boucher now in charge and four established players already secured, the franchise has begun shaping its plans for another title campaign.

The October 1 auction will reveal the rest of the squad and provide the next major indication of how Boucher's MI Emirates team will take shape for the fifth edition of the competition.