Luke Williams, a distinguished figure in women’s cricket coaching, has been named the new head coach of the Mumbai Indians (MI) women’s team, stepping in for Lisa Keightley. Keightley, who will now lead Cricket Australia’s national development initiatives, leaves behind a well-respected legacy at MI.
Williams, known for his previous success with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he guided them to a Women’s Premier League (WPL) title in 2024, is no stranger to success on the cricketing circuit. He recently dedicated his time to the Adelaide Strikers in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), adding two more titles to his repertoire in 2022 and 2023. Commenting on his new role, Williams stated, “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. We have a great opportunity to build something together, play an exciting brand of cricket and compete for success.”
In a period marked by changes, Williams’ appointment is MI’s second coaching alteration in as many seasons. After taking the reins last year, Keightley helped MI earn a fourth-place finish in 2026. Prior to her, Charlotte Edwards had transitioned to her role as England’s head coach. Despite their ranking, MI remains an influential force, having clinched the WPL title twice since its inception in 2023.
Williams’ achievements, including assisting Charlotte Edwards at Southern Brave to win The Hundred in 2023, reflect his vast experience. MI owner, Nita Ambani, expressed her delight, sharing, “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. I am confident that, with Luke’s guidance and Harman’s leadership, they will continue to grow, achieve greater success, and inspire young girls everywhere to dream big.”
As Williams prepares to lead MI, his immediate focus will be on deciding player retentions before the September 28 deadline, followed by gearing up for the mini-auction in Kochi on October 28. The next WPL season is anticipated to take place between January 14 and February 7, 2027, offering Williams a fresh platform to demonstrate his coaching prowess.
