Mumbai Indians announced on Thursday September 24 that Luke Williams will become their new head coach for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) when the former Australia cricketer Lisa Keightley steps down for the 2027 season.
Mumbai Indians confirmed it in an official statement, saying Keightley had decided to step down from her role as head coach and Williams will be her successor for the WPL campaign in 2027.
Mumbai Indians co-owner Nita M Ambani welcomed Williams to the franchise and said she was confident in his experience and ability to work with the team’s players. She also thanked Keightley for her work on the side.
Luke Williams’s arrival into the family of Mumbai Indians is a welcome addition and I am sure a great asset to our team.
She said Mumbai Indians' players had established a great legacy in the WPL and said she hoped Williams, along with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, would help the team continue to develop and compete for more success.
Williams was also excited about Mumbai Indians and working with the players and support staff there. The Australian coach said he saw an opportunity to get something and play a brand of cricket that is not conventional.
I am really proud to be joining Mumbai Indians— a very well-established and successful outfit— and working with this big group of players and support staff, Williams said.
The league is a great chance for us to come together and develop something together and play a brand of cricket we’re very much proud of, we have to fight for success, I’m looking forward to this, and I am ready to challenge ourselves, to give our fans a lot of reasons to be proud of,” he said.
Williams has over two decades of coaching experience in Australia, England and India. He has also been involved in the England Women’s coaching set up as assistant coach since 2025 and has international experience in the women’s game as part of his coaching profile.
The Australian has also enjoyed domestic success. He is a three-time Bradman Medal winner in grade cricket, and got the honour in the 2005/06, 2007/08 and 2009/10 seasons.
Williams will take charge of a Mumbai Indians side that has achieved a lot in the WPL so far. The team won two of the four editions of the tournament, winning the first title in 2023 and taking the league title again in 2025 under Harmanpreet Kaur.
But Mumbai Indians had a tough campaign in the last season. The team finished fourth in the league stage and missed out on the playoffs after three wins and five losses.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru eventually won the tournament for the second time, adding another WPL title to their list.
So Williams’ appointment is a big one for Mumbai Indians as they are going to try and get back into the playoffs and make it to the WPL again. With Harmanpreet continuing as captain and Williams taking over the charge of the team Mumbai Indians will now start preparing for the 2027 season and will have a new coaching staff.
The change also marks the end of Keightley’s time as head coach. Mumbai Indians thanked the former Australia international for her service and wished her well for the future.
The 2027 WPL will be Williams’ first chance to lead Mumbai Indians in the competition and work with the franchise’s established group of players.
