Defending champions Mumbai Indians have strengthened their backroom staff ahead of the 2026 Women’s Premier League by appointing former Australia leg-spinner Kristen Beams as their new spin bowling coach. The franchise confirmed the move on Monday, signalling its intent to stay ahead of the curve as preparations for the next WPL season gather pace.
A proven name joins MI’s winning setup
Beams, a familiar face in international women’s cricket, steps into an already star-studded MI coaching group. She will work closely with head coach Lisa Keightley and bowling coach-cum-mentor Jhulan Goswami, adding further depth to a side that has built a reputation for consistency and strong team culture.
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Speaking in a video shared by the franchise, Beams said she was excited to be part of the MI family. “It’s my first time as a coach here. It’s an incredible opportunity to work with someone like Jhulan Goswami, one of the greats of the game, and someone I played against,” she said, highlighting the environment MI have created over the years.
From World Cups to the dug-out
Kristen Beams enjoyed a solid international career for Australia, featuring in one Test, 30 ODIs and 18 T20Is, along with 45 matches in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). One of her standout moments came during the 2017 Women’s ODI World Cup in England, where she finished as the tournament’s third-highest wicket-taker and played a key role in Australia’s title-winning run.
After hanging up her boots, Beams moved seamlessly into coaching. Her résumé includes stints in the WBBL, The Hundred, and a successful spell as head coach of the Australia Women’s Under-19 team. She has also served as National Development Lead at Cricket Australia and as Community Cricket Manager (South) at Cricket Tasmania.
‘A team that knows how to win’
Beams believes MI’s culture was a major draw. “As a coach, that’s exactly what you want—to walk into an environment that’s tight-knit and a team that knows how to win,” she said. Her appointment further bolsters a coaching unit that already includes batting coach Devieka Palshikaar and fielding coach Nicole Bolton.
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WPL 2026: What’s coming up
The 2026 edition of the Women’s Premier League is scheduled to run from January 9 to February 5, with matches set to be played in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara. Mumbai Indians, led by India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, will begin their title defence against Smriti Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
With Beams coming on board, MI have made it clear they are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for another WPL title.
