The Mumbai Indians have strengthened their coaching group ahead of the Women’s Premier League 2026 season by appointing former Australia leg-spinner Kristen Beams as the team’s new spin bowling coach.
The move comes as the two-time WPL champions prepare for another title defence, building further depth in a support staff already known for its experience and stability.
Experienced addition to MI’s coaching setup
Beams will work alongside head coach Lisa Keightley and fast-bowling coach Jhulan Goswami, forming a well-balanced coaching unit that blends international exposure with elite-level playing experience.
The former leg-spinner enjoyed a solid international career, representing Australia in one Test, 30 ODIs and 18 T20Is. She also featured prominently in the Women’s Big Bash League before transitioning into coaching full-time.
Strong coaching résumé and World Cup pedigree
Since hanging up her boots, Beams has built an impressive coaching profile. She has worked across the WBBL and The Hundred, served as head coach of the Australia Women’s Under-19 team, and held senior development roles with Cricket Australia and Cricket Tasmania.
Read More :- WPL 2026 Schedule Announced: Full Match Dates, Venues and Timings for Women’s Premier League
Her playing credentials include a standout campaign at the 2017 Women’s ODI World Cup, where she finished as the tournament’s third-highest wicket-taker and played a key role in Australia’s title-winning run.
‘A culture you want to be part of’
Speaking in a video message shared by the franchise, Beams described her return to the dug-out as a special moment. She highlighted the opportunity to work closely with Jhulan Goswami and praised the environment MI have created over the years.
According to Beams, the franchise’s long-standing winning culture and close-knit team atmosphere were major factors behind her decision. She added that stepping into a setup that already knows how to win makes the challenge even more exciting as a coach.
Read More :- WPL 2026 Tickets: When and How to Book Seats for Women’s Premier League Matches
Mumbai Indians squad for WPL 2026
MI have retained a strong, well-rounded squad for the upcoming season. The team includes Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Amelia Kerr, Shabnim Ismail, Saika Ishaque, Nicola Carey, Amanjot Kaur, Sajana Sajeevan, Sanskriti Gupta, Kamalini G, Rahila Firdous, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasistha, Nalla Reddy and Milly Illingworth.
With Beams now overseeing spin bowling, Mumbai Indians will be hoping to sharpen one of their key strengths as they aim to stay ahead of the competition in WPL 2026.
