Coach who delivered RCB's first title now named MI head coach ahead of 2027 season

Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur

Mumbai Indians on Thursday appointed Luke Williams as their head coach ahead of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 season after Lisa Keightley decided to step down from the role.Keightley had been appointed Mumbai Indians head coach in September 2025.

The franchise confirmed her departure in a statement on Thursday.

"Mumbai Indians have announced that Lisa Keightley has decided to move on from her role as head coach of Mumbai Indians, with Luke Williams appointed as her successor ahead of the 2027 Women's Premier League season," the franchise said.Williams joins Mumbai Indians after previously leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their maiden WPL title in 2024.

He remained part of the RCB setup the following season before stepping away this year to focus on his Women's Big Bash League commitments with the Adelaide Strikers.Under Keightley, Mumbai Indians finished fourth in the five-team WPL last season, their lowest finish in the tournament's four editions. The franchise won the inaugural WPL title in 2023, lifted the trophy again in 2025, and reached the Eliminator in 2024.

Speaking after his appointment, Williams said he was looking forward to the new role."We have a great opportunity to build something together, play an exciting brand of cricket and compete for success," Williams said.Williams has also served as head coach of Southern Brave Women in The Hundred and Adelaide Strikers Women in the Women's Big Bash League. He has also worked as assistant coach of the Adelaide Strikers men's team in the BBL.

Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani welcomed Williams and highlighted his experience in women's cricket."Luke is a proven winner and brings with him rich experience, a deep understanding of the women's game, and a strong commitment to developing players," Ambani said.Williams is a three-time winner of the Bradman Medal for grade cricket, having won the award in 2005-06, 2007-08 and 2009-10.His first assignment with Mumbai Indians will be to finalise the franchise's retention list before the September 28 deadline. The mini-auction for WPL 2027, which will be played between January 14 and February 7, will be held in Kochi on October 28.