Two-time champions Mumbai Indians have appointed a new head coach ahead of the 2027 Women’s Premier League season. The coach returns to the WPL setup after previously guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their maiden title in 2024. He takes charge of MI following Lisa Keightley’s decision to step down from the role after one season.
Luke Williams appointed as head coach of Mumbai Indians
Mumbai have appointed Luke Williams as their head coach ahead of upcoming season of WPL. Williams brings previous WPL success to the Mumbai Indians camp, having coached RCB to the championship in 2024. His return comes after he parted ways with the Bengaluru-based franchise last year ahead of the WPL mega auction in New Delhi. The decision to leave RCB was linked to scheduling overlaps with his responsibilities in the Women’s Big Bash League. Williams continues to serve as head coach of the Adelaide Strikers in the WBBL, making his experience across major women’s T20 competitions an important part of his coaching profile.
At Mumbai Indians, Williams will now take charge of a side that has already established itself as one of the successful teams in the WPL, having won the tournament twice.
Lisa Keightley steps down after one season
Williams succeeds Keightley, who was appointed MI head coach ahead of the 2026 WPL season. The former Australia women’s cricketer had taken over from Charlotte Edwards, who left the franchise after being appointed head coach of the England women’s team.
Keightley’s tenure with Mumbai Indians lasted one season, but her next role with Cricket Australia has influenced her decision to leave the WPL position. Earlier this month, she joined Cricket Australia as the national development lead, where she will focus on the development of the women’s game. With that responsibility now forming part of her professional commitments, Keightley has decided not to continue as Mumbai Indians’ head coach for the 2027 season.
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Retention strategy becomes Williams’ first challenge
Williams’ immediate task will be to work with the MI management on the squad-building plans for WPL 2027. The franchise will first need to finalise its player retention strategy, with the deadline for submitting retained players set for September 28. The retention process will be particularly important as all five WPL franchises prepare to shape their squads before the next auction. Williams will have limited time to assess the existing MI group and determine the team’s priorities ahead of the player auction.
The WPL 2027 auction is scheduled to take place in Kochi on October 28. According to the BCCI, the fifth edition of the tournament will be played from January 14 to February 7, 2027. The venues for the five-team competition, however, have not yet been announced. With the retention deadline approaching, Williams’ appointment gives Mumbai Indians a new coaching voice at a crucial stage of their preparations for the upcoming WPL campaign.
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.