The coach who won RCB’s first title has now been appointed as the head coach of Mumbai Indians ahead of the 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 was appointed head coach of the Mumbai Indians in September 2025. The franchise confirmed her departure in a statement on Thursday.“Mumbai Indians have announced that Lisa Keightley has decided to step down from her role as head coach of Mumbai Indians, with Luke Williams named 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 first WPL title in 2024. She remained part of the RCB squad the following season before leaving this year to focus on her 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 four tournaments. The franchise won the inaugural WPL title in 2023, lifted the trophy again in 2025, and reached the Eliminator in 2024.After his appointment, Williams said he was looking forward to the new role.“We have a great opportunity to build something together, play exciting 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 also served as assistant coach of the Adelaide Strikers men’s team in the BBL.Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani welcomed Williams and highlighted her experience in women’s cricket.“Luke is a proven winner and brings a wealth of experience, a deep understanding of the women’s game and a strong commitment to developing female players,” Ambani said.Williams is a three-time winner of the Bradman Medal for grade cricket, winning in 2005–06, 2007–08 and 2009–10.His first task with Mumbai Indians will be to finalize the franchise list by the September 28 deadline. The mini-auction for WPL 2027, which will be played from January 14 to February 7, will be held in Kochi on October 28.