In a significant development that’s sending ripples through the women’s cricket world, Mumbai Indians Women are bidding an emotional farewell to their championship-winning coach Charlotte Edwards. After guiding the franchise to unprecedented success with two Women’s Premier League (WPL) titles in just three seasons, Edwards is embarking on a new journey as the Head Coach of the England Women’s national cricket team.
The Architect of Mumbai Indians’ Women’s Cricket Dynasty
When Charlotte “Lottie” Edwards took the helm at Mumbai Indians three years ago, few could have predicted the remarkable dynasty she would help establish in such a short time. Her leadership transformed a newly formed franchise into the most dominant force in the WPL, creating a blueprint for success that other teams have struggled to match.
“The incredible achievements that Charlotte has driven the team towards, winning two titles in three years, developing and inspiring the girls to play their best cricket and taking the MI legacy forward and bringing joy to the MI Paltan,” read the official statement from the Mumbai Indians. These words barely scratch the surface of what Edwards accomplished during her tenure.
Under her strategic guidance, Mumbai Indians clinched the inaugural WPL trophy in 2023 after a convincing victory over Delhi Capitals. She then repeated this triumph in 2025, once again defeating Delhi in the final, making MI the first franchise to secure two WPL titles. This remarkable consistency speaks volumes about Edwards’ ability to maintain high standards and develop talent.
What makes Edwards’ achievement even more impressive is the pressure-cooker environment of the WPL, where expectations are sky-high, especially for a brand as successful as Mumbai Indians in the men’s IPL. Yet Edwards navigated these challenges with the same composure that defined her illustrious playing career.
From Playing Legend to Coaching Mastermind
For those unfamiliar with Charlotte Edwards’ background, her coaching success comes as no surprise. As a player, Edwards established herself as one of cricket’s greatest leaders, captaining England for a decade between 2005 and 2016. During this period, she led England to multiple ICC World Cup victories and amassed more than 10,000 runs across international formats – a milestone she was the first to reach globally, and which no England Women’s player has since come close to matching.
Her transition to coaching has been nothing short of remarkable. In just five years of coaching, Edwards has collected an astonishing eight trophies, including five Women’s Cricket Super League titles with Southern Vipers and a title in The Hundred with Southern Brave, in addition to her WPL successes with Mumbai Indians. This makes her one of the most decorated coaches in modern women’s cricket.
“I don’t miss a trick, and they know that,” Edwards once said about her coaching philosophy in 2022. “I’m in constant contact with all of the coaches on a daily basis and the players very much know that I might be away but I’m never forgotten about.” This hands-on approach and attention to detail have become hallmarks of her coaching style.
The Edwards Effect: Building a Culture of Excellence
What set Edwards apart during her tenure with Mumbai Indians was her focus on building a sustainable culture of excellence rather than just chasing immediate results. Her approach emphasized player development and creating an environment where both established stars and emerging talents could flourish.
Edwards formed a strong connection with her players, particularly with stars like Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt, whose performances were crucial to Mumbai Indians’ success. Her ability to manage international talent while developing local players created a perfect balance within the squad.
Under Edwards’ guidance, Mumbai Indians Women became known for their fearless cricket and ability to perform under pressure. The team’s success wasn’t just about assembling a collection of star players – it was about forging them into a cohesive unit with a clear identity and playing philosophy.
This culture extended beyond match days. Edwards implemented training methods and preparation routines that pushed players to continually improve, creating a professional environment that mirrored the best practices in international cricket.
England’s Gain Is Mumbai Indians’ Loss
For the England Cricket Board, securing Edwards’ services represents a major coup. England’s women’s team has been through a difficult period, suffering a semi-final exit in the T20 World Cup 2023, followed by a group-stage elimination in 2024. Their most crushing defeat came in the Ashes, where they lost 16-0 to arch-rivals Australia – a result that left the team in desperate need of revival.
Speaking about her new role, Edwards was characteristically direct: “I’m under no illusions, I’ve come into this role and it’s about winning. I think as coaches, we’re sometimes too scared to say we want to win. That’s our job, my job is to win games of cricket.” This no-nonsense attitude is exactly what England needs to reclaim their position at the top of world cricket.
Her intimate knowledge of the English cricket system combined with the fresh perspectives gained from her WPL experience makes her the ideal candidate to lead England into a new era. Edwards’ understanding of the global talent pool and her ability to identify and nurture potential will be invaluable in her new role.
For Mumbai Indians, though, Edwards’ departure creates a significant void. Finding a replacement who can maintain the high standards she established will be challenging. The franchise now faces the task of identifying a successor who can build on Edwards’ legacy while bringing their own vision to the role.
The Mutual Respect Between Coach and Franchise
What’s particularly noteworthy about Edwards’ departure is the mutual respect evident between coach and franchise. Mumbai Indians’ heartfelt tribute to Edwards speaks volumes about the impact she had, not just on the team’s results, but on the organization as a whole.
In their statement, a Mumbai Indians spokesperson said, “Charlotte Edwards has been a leader for whom the entire #OneFamily has enormous admiration, appreciation, and respect. She brought joy to the MI Paltan and carried the MI legacy forward with immense pride. We wish her all the very best and are truly grateful for everything she has brought to our team over the past three years.”
The franchise also acknowledged her unique ability to be “not just a coach, but a friend and a leader,” noting that her “energy, commitment, and passion created an atmosphere where players could thrive and bring out their best performances.”
This sentiment reflects the professional yet warm relationship that existed between Edwards and the franchise. Even as she moves on to a new challenge, she remains part of the Mumbai Indians’ extended family, with the team affirming that the “#OneFamily will continue to cheer for one of the greats of the game.”
A Pioneer Continuing to Blaze Trails
Edwards’ journey from player to franchise coach to national team head coach mirrors the evolving landscape of women’s cricket itself. As one of the most respected figures in the game, her career trajectory has helped create pathways for future generations of female coaches and administrators.
Her story is particularly inspiring considering her early struggles. As the classic anecdote goes, Edwards had to pay for her first England blazer as a 16-year-old in 1996, and had been so immersed in men’s cricket as her vehicle that she hadn’t even known that women’s international cricket was an attainable goal until England’s victory in the 1993 World Cup. Now, she returns to lead the very organization that once deemed her expendable, having been forced out of the England setup in 2016.
Her success with Mumbai Indians has demonstrated that women coaches can excel at the highest levels of the game, challenging outdated perceptions and opening doors for others to follow. In taking on the England job, Edwards continues to break barriers and set examples for aspiring coaches worldwide.
What’s Next for Mumbai Indians Women?
As Mumbai Indians prepare for life after Edwards, the franchise faces important decisions about their coaching structure. The foundation Edwards has built provides a solid platform for continued success, but maintaining momentum will require careful planning and execution.
The team culture she instilled – one of professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement – will be essential to preserve. Whoever takes over will inherit a well-oiled machine, but they’ll also face the challenge of living up to the high standards Edwards established.
A Legacy That Transcends Trophies
While the two WPL titles will stand as the most visible markers of Edwards’ success with Mumbai Indians, her true legacy extends far beyond silverware. She leaves behind a template for excellence, a generation of improved players, and a franchise positioned for long-term success.
For women’s cricket globally, Edwards’ success story represents another step forward in the sport’s evolution. Her ability to transition successfully between playing, franchise coaching, and now international coaching demonstrates the increasing professionalization and career opportunities within women’s cricket.
As Charlotte Edwards begins this new chapter with England, she carries with her the lessons, experiences, and relationships formed during her time with Mumbai Indians. And as she continues to influence the sport she has served so magnificently, both teams – Mumbai Indians and England – can rightly claim to have been shaped by one of cricket’s true pioneers.
The baton has been passed, but the impact of Charlotte Edwards’ time with Mumbai Indians will continue to resonate throughout women’s cricket for years to come.
