Mumbai Indians go Luke Williams way for WPL 2027
Mumbai Indians have made their first big move for WPL 2027. On Thursday, September 24, 2026, the franchise announced Luke Williams as the new head coach of the women’s team.
He takes over from Lisa Keightley, who has stepped down after just one season in charge. Keightley, who joined before WPL 2026, is moving on to become Cricket Australia’s national development lead.
For MI, it’s a fresh start with a familiar WPL face.
Who is Luke Williams?
Luke Williams, 46, is a former South Australian first-class cricketer turned highly rated coach.
His coaching CV reads like a women’s T20 hit list:
- Head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru when they won the WPL title in 2024.
- Led Adelaide Strikers to two runners-up finishes and a maiden WBBL title in 2022–23.
- Assistant coach with Southern Brave during their title-winning Women’s Hundred campaign in 2023.
- Most recently, assistant coach of the England Women’s team since 2025.
He knows the WPL dressing room, the pressure of finals, and what it takes to turn a good squad into champions.
Why MI made the switch
Mumbai Indians are two-time WPL champions, but 2026 was rough. Under Harmanpreet Kaur, they won only three games and finished fourth.
The franchise clearly felt a change was needed after just one season of Keightley. Williams brings recent title-winning experience in the same league, plus a deep background in Australia’s women’s structure and a stint with England Women.
Nita Ambani, owner of Mumbai Indians, summed up the thinking: “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.”
What Williams said
Williams didn’t hide his excitement. In a statement released by MI, he said: “I’m really excited to be joining Mumbai Indians, a respected and successful organisation, and working with this talented group of players and support staff.”
He added: “We have a great opportunity to build something together, play an exciting brand of cricket and compete for success.”
That “exciting brand of cricket” line will certainly catch the eye of MI Paltan, who have seen their women’s side dip after the early WPL highs.
First tasks: retentions, auction, and rebuilding MI Women
Williams does not have much time to settle in. His first major job is to finalise the retention list before the September 28 deadline.
After that, the WPL 2027 mini-auction is set for October 28 in Kochi. The tournament itself is scheduled to run between January 14 and February 7, 2027.
Expect him to:
- Review the core group around Harmanpreet Kaur.
- Decide which overseas names to back strongly.
- Work with the management to target specific roles in the auction.
How he shapes this squad will tell us a lot about the kind of MI side we’ll see in 2027.
Bigger picture: MI’s women’s project under the lens
Mumbai Indians were among the early powerhouses of the WPL, lifting the title in 2023 and 2025. But the fourth-place finish in 2026 raised questions about balance, form, and perhaps direction.
Bringing in a coach who has already won in the WPL and in the WBBL signals intent. This is not just a name change; it’s a clear push to get back on top quickly.
If Williams can blend MI’s experienced core with smart auction picks, the Harmanpreet-led side could be right back in the title conversation.
FAQs
Who is the new head coach of Mumbai Indians Women for WPL 2027?
Luke Williams has been appointed head coach of Mumbai Indians Women ahead of WPL 2027, replacing Lisa Keightley.
Why did Lisa Keightley leave Mumbai Indians?
Keightley stepped down after one season to take up the role of Cricket Australia’s national development lead.
What are Luke Williams’ biggest coaching achievements?
He coached Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a WPL title in 2024, led Adelaide Strikers to a WBBL title in 2022–23, and was assistant coach with Southern Brave in their 2023 Women’s Hundred triumph.
What are Williams’ first priorities at MI?
His immediate tasks include finalising the retention list by September 28 and preparing for the WPL 2027 mini-auction on October 28 in Kochi.
