Mumbai Indians have moved quickly to fill the vacancy left by Charlotte Edwards, appointing Lisa Keightley as head coach for the forthcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) campaign.
“It’s an honour to join the Mumbai Indians, a team that has set the benchmark in the WPL,” Keightley said in the club statement. “The culture of excellence and care is something I deeply admire. I look forward to working with this talented group to build on our success and continue inspiring on and off the field.”
Edwards exited earlier in the year to take charge of England Women, leaving MI without a senior strategist just months after lifting their second WPL crown in three attempts. Keightley, a two-time ODI World Cup winner with Australia, arrives on the back of a crowded coaching diary that has included England Women, Australia Women, Delhi Capitals in the WPL, Sydney Thunder in the WBBL and, only weeks ago, Northern Superchargers, who she steered to the Women’s Hundred title.
The Australian inherits a squad used to silverware. MI claimed the inaugural WPL title in 2023, stumbled in the 2024 eliminator to eventual champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, then bounced back in 2025 by edging Delhi Capitals in a tense final. Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Saika Ishaque remain central, while the franchise’s scouting network continues to unearth domestic talent.
Keightley’s playing résumé lends authority. Between 1995 and 2005 she featured in nine Tests, 82 ODIs and a lone T20I, before becoming the first woman to coach Australia’s national side in 2007. Her reputation for clear messaging rather than dramatic overhauls should suit a squad already comfortable with its methods.
Whether MI can convert continuity plus a fresh voice into a third trophy will be tested soon enough. For now, the franchise has its head coach, and Keightley another intriguing chapter in an already-varied career.
