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In a surprising turn of events, the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise has bid farewell to their bowling coach, Shane Bond, ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction. The announcement was made via an official press release on the MI website, marking the end of a glorious era in the franchise’s history under Bond’s tenure. It is worth mentioning that Bond played a pivotal role in Mumbai Indians’ journey to becoming one of the most successful IPL teams.
Shane Bond’s nine years of dedication and legacy as MI’s coach
A former New Zealand cricketer, Bond’s journey with the Mumbai Indians was nothing short of spectacular. His contribution to the franchise extended over nine years, during which he helped guide the team to four IPL trophies.
Bond’s association with the franchise began in 2015, and it has been a rollercoaster ride since then. His dedication and ability to nurture young talents while fine-tuning the skills of experienced bowlers played a crucial role in Mumbai Indians’ victories. It’s not just about the trophies but also the culture and spirit he instilled within the team, which made him an integral part of the MI family over all these years.
Mumbai Indians’ gratitude message for Shane Bond
In the official press release, Mumbai Indians expressed their gratitude and acknowledged Bond’s valuable contribution.
“Mumbai Indians announce that Shane Bond’s successful tenure that began in 2015 has ended after a nine-year stint with the team, bringing down the curtain on an illustrious career that included 4 IPL trophies as bowling coach for Mumbai Indians, and Head Coach of MI Emirates in the inaugural season in ILT20,” the statement read.
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Shane Bond’s expression of appreciation
It wasn’t just the franchise thanking Bond for his remarkable journey, but he himself also took a moment to express his appreciation. He extended his gratitude to the Ambani family, the franchise’s owners, for the incredible experience he had during his time with the Mumbai Indians. Bond’s message was a testament to the strong friendships he shares with MI staff and players both on and off the field.
“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. 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,” said Bond.
The Twitter tributes from Mumbai Indians
Further, MI also posted a series of tweets thanking Bond for his contribution.
🫡 From Legends to Youngsters, everyone attended Bondy’s class 💙#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #MumbaiMeriJaan pic.twitter.com/370qLED0vv
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) October 18, 2023
