Get ready for a game-changing move in cricket! MI London has just appointed Kieron Pollard and Lisa Keightley to lead their men's and women's teams in The Hundred 2026, and this could be the start of something truly special. But here's where it gets even more intriguing: Pollard, the former West Indies all-rounder, isn’t just any coach—he’s a cricket legend with over 730 domestic T20 matches under his belt, more than any player in history. His deep ties with the Mumbai Indians empire, including stints in the IPL, Major League Cricket, SA20, and ILT20, make him a powerhouse of experience. And let’s not forget his role as England’s assistant coach during the 2024 T20 World Cup. At 38, Pollard is ready to bring his winning mindset to The Oval, where he’s already played for Surrey, London Spirit, and Southern Brave. He calls it an 'exciting opportunity' to build a high-performance culture, but is this the perfect recipe for success, or will blending cultures prove more challenging than expected?
On the women’s side, Lisa Keightley, the 54-year-old ex-Australia star, steps in with a resume that speaks for itself. She led the Northern Superchargers (now Sunrisers Leeds) to the women’s title in 2025 and currently heads MI’s Women’s Premier League team and Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League. With 9 Tests and 82 ODIs for Australia, plus coaching stints for both Australia and England, Keightley is no stranger to pressure. She’s eager to take on this new challenge after last season’s triumph, but can she replicate her success with a new squad, or will the dynamics of MI London present unexpected hurdles?
And this is the part most people miss: MI London, formerly known as Oval Invincibles, underwent a rebranding after Reliance Industries Limited acquired a 49% stake, backed by the owners of IPL’s Mumbai Indians. This franchise has already produced five title-winning teams in The Hundred, but with Pollard and Keightley at the helm, the stakes are higher than ever. Last year’s coaches, Tom Moody and Jonathan Batty, set a strong foundation, but now it’s time for a new era. Will this bold coaching duo elevate MI London to unprecedented heights, or will the pressure of expectations weigh them down? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one cricket story you won’t want to miss!
