MI London Unveils Leadership Team for Upcoming Hundred Season
London: MI London has announced its leadership group for the forthcoming season of The Hundred, appointing Kieron Pollard as the head coach for the men’s team and Lisa Keightley to lead the women’s squad. These appointments mark the franchise’s inaugural campaign under the MI London banner following the rebranding of the Oval Invincibles.
Pollard, who is 38 years old, enhances the franchise’s ties with the Mumbai Indians network. He has a rich history with MI, having participated in 211 matches and currently serving as a batting coach. His extensive experience extends to international leagues, including roles with MI Cape Town in the SA20, MI New York in Major League Cricket, and MI Emirates in the ILT20, where he recently led the team to the finals.
Having played for Surrey in the Vitality Blast in 2022 and represented London Spirit and Southern Brave in previous seasons of The Hundred, Pollard is well-versed in English cricket conditions. His familiarity with the Kia Oval is expected to be an asset as MI London aims to continue the successful legacy of its men’s team.
“I am honoured to take on the role of Head Coach with MI London. 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. This is an exciting opportunity to build a strong team, create a high-performance culture, and work towards sustained success in the seasons ahead,” Pollard stated.
Keightley’s Experience in Franchise Cricket
The women’s team will be led by Lisa Keightley, who transitions from her role with the Northern Superchargers, now rebranded as Sunrisers Leeds. Keightley guided the Superchargers to victory in the 2025 women’s Hundred and boasts vast coaching experience, including her work with Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), and England Women from 2019 to 2022.
“I’m delighted to join MI London women’s team for the 2026 season. The Kia Oval is a brilliant place to play and gives me a unique chance to combine Surrey’s rich cricketing heritage with the global winning culture of the MI family,” Keightley commented.
