Luke Williams named Mumbai Indians WPL 2027 head coach, replaces Lisa Keightley
Synopsis
Luke Williams, the coach who delivered RCB their first-ever WPL title in 2024, has switched allegiances to two-time champions Mumbai Indians — and he has barely days to settle in before the September 28 retention deadline. MI's second successive mid-cycle coaching change raises questions about continuity, even as Nita Ambani bets on Williams' winning track record to deliver a third WPL crown.
Key Takeaways
Luke Williams appointed Mumbai Indians head coach for WPL 2027 on 24 September 2026 .
Williams previously coached Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their maiden WPL title in 2024 .
Lisa Keightley stepped down after joining Cricket Australia as national development lead earlier this month.
MI's player retention deadline is 28 September 2026 ; the WPL 2027 auction is set for 28 October 2026 in Kochi .
WPL 2027 will be played from 14 January to 7 February 2027 ; host cities are yet to be announced.
This is MI's second successive coaching change ahead of a new WPL season.
Mumbai Indians (MI), two-time Women's Premier League (WPL) champions, have appointed Luke Williams as their new head coach ahead of the WPL 2027 season, the franchise confirmed on Thursday, 24 September 2026. Williams takes over from Lisa Keightley, who stepped down after joining Cricket Australia as national development lead earlier this month.
Who is Luke Williams
Williams arrives at Mumbai Indians with a strong WPL pedigree — he guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their maiden WPL title in 2024, making him one of the most sought-after coaches in women's franchise cricket. He parted ways with RCB ahead of the WPL mega auction in New Delhi last year due to scheduling conflicts with the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), where he continues to serve as head coach of the Adelaide Strikers.
"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. I'm looking forward to the challenge and to giving our fans plenty to be proud of," Williams said in a statement.
Why Keightley Stepped Down
Lisa Keightley, the former Australia women's cricketer, had been appointed MI head coach ahead of WPL 2026 as a replacement for Charlotte Edwards, who moved to take charge of the England women's national side. Keightley's decision to accept the Cricket Australia role — where she will oversee the development of the women's game nationally — effectively made it untenable for her to continue with MI. Notably, this is the second successive year that MI have changed their head coach ahead of a new WPL cycle.
What the MI Ownership Said
MI owner Nita M. Ambani welcomed the appointment, expressing confidence in the new coaching setup. "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. Our girls have created a proud legacy in the WPL, and 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," she said.
Ambani also thanked Keightley for her contributions to the franchise, wishing her well in her new role with Cricket Australia.
Immediate Priorities: Retention and Auction
Williams' first order of business will be to shape MI's player retention and auction strategy. The retention deadline for WPL 2027 — the fifth edition of the tournament — falls on 28 September 2026, when all five franchises must finalise their retained player lists. The WPL 2027 player auction is scheduled for 28 October 2026 in Kochi, according to a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) statement.
WPL 2027 Tournament Dates
The WPL 2027 season is scheduled to run from 14 January to 7 February 2027, per BCCI's confirmed window. Host cities for the five-team tournament are yet to be announced. With the auction just over a month away, Williams will need to hit the ground running to build a squad capable of delivering a third title for the franchise.
Point of View
And MI have now cycled through Edwards, Keightley, and Williams in rapid succession. Williams' WPL title with RCB is genuine credential, but his attention will remain split with the Adelaide Strikers in the WBBL — the same scheduling conflict that ended his previous WPL stint. Whether MI's management has structurally resolved that overlap this time around, or is simply hoping the calendar cooperates, is the question that will define whether this appointment sticks.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Luke Williams, the new Mumbai Indians WPL head coach?
Luke Williams is an Australian cricket coach who guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their maiden WPL title in 2024. He also serves as head coach of the Adelaide Strikers in the Women's Big Bash League.
Why did Lisa Keightley leave Mumbai Indians?
Lisa Keightley stepped down from her role as MI head coach after accepting a position as national development lead at Cricket Australia earlier in September 2026. Her new role, focused on the growth of women's cricket in Australia, made it difficult to continue with the franchise.
What are the key WPL 2027 dates coaches and fans should know?
The player retention deadline is 28 September 2026, the WPL 2027 player auction takes place on 28 October 2026 in Kochi, and the tournament itself runs from 14 January to 7 February 2027, per BCCI's schedule.
How many WPL titles have Mumbai Indians won?
Mumbai Indians are two-time WPL champions. The franchise enters WPL 2027 as one of the most successful sides in the short history of the competition.
Why did Luke Williams leave RCB ahead of the WPL mega auction?
Williams parted ways with RCB last year due to scheduling conflicts between the WPL and the Women's Big Bash League, where he coaches the Adelaide Strikers. The same overlap had previously complicated his availability for franchise cricket.
