MI London have taken a major step in shaping their future by appointing Kieron Pollard and Lisa Keightley as the new head coaches of their men’s and women’s teams respectively for the 2026 season of The Hundred. The announcement underlines the franchise’s ambition to build on past success and strengthen its identity following its rebrand and new ownership structure.
Former West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard will lead the men’s side, bringing with him a wealth of experience from one of the most successful careers in T20 cricket history. Pollard’s appointment feels like a natural fit, given his long-standing relationship with the Mumbai Indians franchise and its global network of teams. Over the years, he has been a central figure in Mumbai Indians’ dominance across multiple leagues worldwide.
Pollard enjoyed a highly successful playing career with Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he became synonymous with power-hitting, leadership, and clutch performances. Beyond the IPL, he has also represented Mumbai Indians’ sister franchises in Major League Cricket (MLC), SA20 in South Africa, and the ILT20 in the UAE. This deep familiarity with the Mumbai Indians’ philosophy makes him an ideal choice to guide MI London into a new era.
In addition to his playing experience, Pollard has steadily built an impressive coaching résumé. He served as an assistant coach with England’s men’s team during the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, gaining valuable exposure to international coaching environments. Currently, he is part of the Mumbai Indians’ setup as their batting coach in the IPL, further strengthening his ties to the franchise’s high-performance culture.
At 38 years old, Pollard boasts an extraordinary record in the shortest format of the game. He has played more than 730 domestic T20 matches, more than any other player in history, and represented West Indies in 101 T20 internationals. His vast experience across leagues and conditions gives him a unique perspective that few coaches can match.
Pollard is no stranger to English cricket either. He previously played county cricket for Surrey in the T20 Blast and featured in The Hundred for both London Spirit and Southern Brave. These experiences have given him a strong understanding of the English game and the unique demands of The Hundred format.
Speaking about his appointment, Pollard described the role as an “exciting opportunity” and expressed his enthusiasm for building something special at MI London. He emphasized his desire to create a strong, competitive team and to foster a high-performance culture that aligns with the values of both Surrey and the Mumbai Indians.
“Having played in The Hundred and for Surrey, I’ve seen first-hand the strong alignment between Surrey’s cricketing culture and the Mumbai Indians’ winning ethos,” Pollard said. His comments highlight the strategic vision behind the appointment, aiming to blend local traditions with global success.
On the women’s side, MI London have appointed Lisa Keightley as head coach, a move that brings proven pedigree and championship-winning experience. Keightley takes charge of the women’s team after a highly successful spell with Northern Superchargers, now known as Sunrisers Leeds. Under her guidance, the Superchargers lifted the women’s title in The Hundred in 2025, cementing her reputation as one of the leading coaches in the women’s game.
Keightley’s coaching career spans multiple top-level competitions around the world. The 54-year-old currently serves as head coach of Mumbai Indians’ team in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and also leads Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Her ability to manage elite players across different environments has made her a highly sought-after figure in global cricket.
Before transitioning fully into coaching, Keightley enjoyed a distinguished playing career with Australia. She represented her country in nine Test matches and 82 one-day internationals, gaining invaluable experience at the highest level. Following her playing days, she went on to coach both the Australian and England national women’s teams, further strengthening her credentials.
Reflecting on her new role with MI London, Keightley said she was excited by the challenge ahead. “Having witnessed the team’s past success and now stepping into this role, I’m looking forward to the journey and to a new challenge after winning The Hundred last season,” she said. Her comments suggest a strong motivation to build on the franchise’s winning legacy.
MI London were previously known as Oval Invincibles, one of the most successful teams in the history of The Hundred. The franchise underwent a name change following significant investment from the owners of IPL giants Mumbai Indians. Reliance Industries Limited acquired a 49% stake in the team, bringing it under the global Mumbai Indians umbrella.
Under the Oval Invincibles identity, the franchise enjoyed remarkable success, producing five title-winning teams across men’s and women’s competitions. The men’s and women’s sides were coached last season by Tom Moody and Jonathan Batty respectively, both of whom played key roles in establishing a culture of excellence.
The rebrand to MI London represents more than just a change of name. It signals a long-term vision to integrate the franchise into the Mumbai Indians’ global network, known for its emphasis on consistency, data-driven decision-making, and a winning mentality. The appointments of Pollard and Keightley align perfectly with this strategy.
Elsewhere in The Hundred, other teams have also been making moves ahead of the 2026 season. Trent Rockets confirmed that they have retained Tom Banton for their men’s team, while Australian all-rounder Ash Gardner will continue with the women’s side. Both players have been key figures for the Rockets in recent seasons.
Southern Brave also made headlines by unveiling new red and blue branding, aligning their visual identity with the Capitals franchises in the IPL, SA20, and ILT20, reflecting the influence of their new ownership group. These developments highlight the growing global connections within The Hundred.
As MI London prepare for the 2026 season, expectations will be high. With Pollard’s tactical nous and leadership on the men’s side, and Keightley’s proven success and experience guiding the women’s team, the franchise appears well-positioned to remain a dominant force in The Hundred.
The combination of global expertise and local understanding could prove to be the perfect formula for sustained success. Fans at The Oval will be eager to see how this new chapter unfolds under two highly respected figures in modern cricket.
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