The Mumbai Indians, the reigning champions of the Women's Premier League (WPL), have made a significant addition to their coaching staff ahead of the 2026 season. The franchise has announced the appointment of former Australian leg-spinner Kristen Beams as their new spin-bowling coach.
A Veteran Joins the MI Family
Kristen Beams brings a wealth of experience from both her playing and coaching career. As a player, she represented Australia in one Test, 30 One-Day Internationals, and 18 T20 Internationals. She also featured in 45 T20 matches in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). Her on-field prowess was highlighted during the 2017 ODI World Cup, where she finished as the tournament's third-highest wicket-taker, playing a key role in Australia's campaign.
The 41-year-old will now join a formidable support team at Mumbai Indians, working alongside head coach Lisa Keightley, mentor and legend Jhulan Goswami, batting coach Devika Palshikar, and fielding coach Nicole Bolton.
Beams' Coaching Pedigree and Excitement for the Role
Since retiring, Beams has built an impressive coaching resume. She has held coaching roles in the WBBL and The Hundred, and served as the coach of the Australia Women's U19 team. Her administrative experience includes positions as the National Development Lead at Cricket Australia and Community Cricket Manager – South at Cricket Tasmania.
Expressing her enthusiasm in an Instagram post by Mumbai Indians, Beams highlighted the franchise's winning culture. "It's an incredible opportunity to work with someone like a Jhulan Goswami, one of the greats of the game," she said. She praised the "incredible culture" and family environment within the team, noting it's exactly the kind of tight-knit, winning setup a coach wants to join.
MI Aim to Extend Dominance in WPL 2026
The appointment comes as Mumbai Indians prepare to defend their title. They are the most successful franchise in WPL history, having won two of the three seasons so far, defeating the Delhi Capitals in both finals under captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
The WPL 2026 season is scheduled to begin on January 9, 2026. The defending champions will launch their campaign against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening match. The entire 28-day tournament will be played across two venues: in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara.
With this strategic addition to their coaching staff, the Mumbai Indians have signaled their intent to maintain their supremacy in the rapidly growing Women's Premier League.
