Mumbai: Mumbai Indians have appointed Luke Williams as their new head coach ahead of the 2027 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season, replacing Lisa Keightley, who has decided to step down from the role.
The franchise announced the coaching change on Thursday, ending Keightley’s tenure after she was appointed head coach in September 2025.
“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 in a statement.
Williams joins Mumbai Indians with previous experience of coaching in the WPL and a title-winning record in the tournament.
Williams returns to WPL with Mumbai Indians
Williams was the head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru when they won their maiden WPL title in 2025. His experience with the tournament and familiarity with the women’s game were among the factors highlighted by Mumbai Indians while announcing his appointment.
The Australian coach has also held senior coaching positions with Southern Brave Women in The Hundred and Adelaide Strikers Women in the Women’s Big Bash League.
He has additionally worked as an assistant coach with the Adelaide Strikers men’s team in the BBL.
Williams said he was looking forward to taking charge of Mumbai Indians and building a competitive team ahead of the new season.
“We have a great opportunity to build something together, play an exciting brand of cricket and compete for success,” Williams said.
Lisa Keightley leaves after one season
Keightley took charge of Mumbai Indians in September 2025 after replacing Charlotte Edwards.
Under the former Australia batter, Mumbai Indians finished fourth in the five-team WPL 2026 season. It was their lowest finish in the tournament’s first four seasons.
Mumbai Indians have otherwise been one of the most successful teams in WPL history. They won the inaugural WPL title in 2023 and lifted the trophy again in 2025, while reaching the Eliminator in 2024.
The franchise will now look to Williams to help the team return to the title race in 2027.
Nita Ambani backs Williams’ experience
Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani welcomed Williams to the franchise and highlighted his previous success and 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 also has a previous connection with Mumbai Indians’ coaching setup. He worked under former Mumbai Indians head coach Charlotte Edwards as part of England’s coaching staff.
His appointment therefore brings together experience from the WPL, The Hundred, the WBBL and international women’s cricket.
Williams brings playing and coaching experience
Before moving into coaching, Williams had a successful career in Australian grade cricket. He won the Bradman Medal three times, in the 2005-06, 2007-08 and 2009-10 seasons.
His coaching career has since taken him across several major women’s domestic competitions.
At RCB, Williams helped guide the franchise to its first WPL title in 2025. His experience in developing players and working within high-performance environments will now be brought to Mumbai Indians as the franchise prepares for another WPL campaign.
The appointment also gives Mumbai Indians a coach with direct knowledge of what it takes to win the tournament.
With the 2027 season ahead, Williams will now begin work on shaping the squad and preparing Mumbai Indians for another title challenge after their fourth-place finish in the previous campaign.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News Karnataka staff and is published from a syndicated feed.