Lisa Keightley Appointed Head Coach of Mumbai Indians in Women’s Premier League
Former Australia international Lisa Keightley has been named the new head coach of Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), replacing Charlotte Edwards, who stepped down from the role earlier this year after being appointed head coach of the England Women’s team.
Keightley, a two-time ODI World Cup winner with Australia (1997 and 2005), brings a wealth of experience to the role. In her statement following the appointment, she expressed enthusiasm about joining one of the most successful franchises in the WPL.
"It’s an honour to join the Mumbai Indians, a team that has set the benchmark in the WPL," Keightley said.
"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."
Coaching Pedigree
Keightley has held several high-profile coaching positions in women’s cricket across the globe. She previously coached the England Women’s national team, had stints with Australia Women, Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), and was part of the Delhi Capitals setup during the early stages of the WPL. Most recently, she led Northern Superchargers to the Women’s Hundred title in the UK less than a month ago.
In 2007, Keightley made history by becoming the first woman to be appointed head coach of the Australian women’s team. She has also coached her home state, New South Wales, and is widely respected for her tactical acumen and player development skills.
A Successful Franchise to Lead
Keightley takes charge of a Mumbai Indians team that has won two WPL titles in three seasons, making them the most successful franchise in the league so far. MI won the inaugural title in 2023, defeating Delhi Capitals in the final. They suffered a setback in 2024, losing the eliminator to eventual champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but bounced back in 2025 to reclaim the trophy by again defeating Delhi in the final.
Her appointment is seen as a continuation of MI’s commitment to elite coaching leadership and maintaining a high-performance environment within the women’s setup.
Keightley's Playing Career
A right-hand batter and occasional wicketkeeper, Keightley represented Australia in nine Tests, 82 ODIs, and one T20I between 1995 and 2005. Her playing career was marked by consistency and professionalism, traits she has successfully carried into her coaching career.
What’s Next?
With Keightley at the helm, Mumbai Indians will look to build on their WPL dominance as the team gears up for the 2026 season. Her experience across formats and leagues is expected to bring fresh insights and stability to an already well-drilled unit.
Her immediate focus will be on squad planning, retention strategies, and preparing for the next WPL auction as MI aim to defend their title under a new yet seasoned leader.