Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa has officially taken over as the batting coach of Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 season.

After moving into the new role, Uthappa openly addressed the slump that has plagued the five-time champions, who haven't won a title since 2020 and finished near the bottom of the table in the 2026 season.

"Today, we find ourselves back in that similar situation right now where the trust of the fans need to be earned again. We come in again as underdogs. it's been one full cycle, and we're back to where we started again, which is nice," Uthappa said in an interview to franchise's website.

For Uthappa, a primary goal is to ensure opposing teams feel the same sense of dread playing MI at away venues as they do at the Wankhede Stadium.

"We're a force to reckon with at home. I want to take that same emotion, that same energy to every venue away from home. My goal would be to make sure that that sense of intimidation that teams feel when they come to Mumbai Indians, to the Paltan -- I want them to feel that same intimidation when we go away from home as well.

"And to be able to be on the same side of the Mumbai Indians fans. On the same side of the Paltan. So I'm looking forward to playing a part in that journey of earning the fans' trust back and making sure that this underdog journey will be one to be remembered," he added.

To rediscover MI's glory days, Uthappa said he would be investing heavily in the growth of young domestic talent.

"I would love to empower domestic cricketers and help them get clarity. That's one of the most important aspects that the young cricketers need at this point in time, clarity of what they want to do, how they want to do it, and what is the process by which they're going to achieve those aspects.

"You're also emotionally investing in their own journey, and then you're rooting for them. You want them to do well. And so when they do well, it feels like personal achievement."

Recalling his own experience, he said, "I remember when one of the lads I was working with and mentoring got picked up in the Indian Test squad, it felt like I got selected. It felt that emotional.

"That's something that I'm looking forward to, especially with domestic cricketers. And communication is a big part of it, and those are conversations I'm genuinely looking forward to."

Uthappa started his IPL career in the inaugural 2008 season with the Mumbai Indians. Returning to the same franchise to start his IPL coaching career is what he described as "destiny" and a full cycle.

"I am just genuinely happy to be back ... thrilled about this and delighted to have this opportunity to work with this special set of cricketers and this franchise," Uthappa remarked.

"Incredible, and it just feels like destiny, to be honest. As in, I started my IPL career with Mumbai Indians and I start my IPL coaching career with Mumbai Indians, which seems like destiny to me."

Uthappa also recounted the moment when he came to know that he was picked by MI and would be in the same franchise with the batting legend Sachin Tendulkar.

"So back in 2008, when I got into the franchise, I remember we were in Australia, playing the CB Series in Australia when the auctions happened, and I knew that I was going to be playing with my hero, Sachin Paaji over here.

"So for me, that was really exciting feeling, because everyone was finding their feet in that first season, and including the franchises and players and teams, and the IPL itself. We had, I would say, a fairly decent season, could have been better.

"We had injuries, and Paaji (Sachin Tendulkar) missed a big part of that tournament, and then Bhajjupa (Harbhajan Singh) captained as well, and Sanath (Sanath Jayasuriya) played really well, Polly (Shaun Pollock) played really well," he concluded.

Robin Uthappa played for six distinct IPL franchises during his career. Apart from MI, he represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru, now-defunct Pune Warriors India, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings. He played a total of 205 matches, scoring 4,952 runs at a strike rate of 130.35 with 27 half-centuries.