Delhi Capitals named their new head coach and director of cricket |Courtesy-BCCI
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Delhi Capitals named Ricky Ponting's replacement as head coach
- The franchise also announced a new Director of Cricket
- The GMR group wil operate the franchise in 2025 and 2026
Delhi Capitals ended a long suspense over their coaching staff for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) while confirming former India cricketer Hemang Badani as the new head coach. Badani will replace Ricky Ponting in the top job.
Meanwhile, Vengupoal Rao will replace Sourav Ganguly as the head of cricket. While Ganguly remains part of the franchise, he will not play an active role in the next two seasons of the IPL. Rao is the new director of cricket. Ganguly was earlier confirmed as the JSW Group's Director of Cricket.
It is worth pointing out that Ganguly remains involved with the franchise but will oversee operation matters for the DC side in the Women's Premier League (WPL) and the Pretoria Capitals in the SA 20 for the next two seasons. He will return to take charge of the Capitals in the IPL for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
As far as Ponting is concerned, he left the franchise after a seven-year tenure in which he guided the Delhi-based franchise to their first-ever final in 2020. Ponting also led them to three consecutive playoff appearances for the first time between 2019 and 2021.
The former Australian captain will be part of the 2025 season after being appointed as the head coach of the Punjab Kings.
Who Are Hemang Badani And Venugopal Rao?
Hemang Badani and Venugopal both made their debuts for India under Ganguly's captaincy. Badani played a total of 4 Tests and 40 ODIs for India between 2000 and 2004.
He has been the head coach of the Chepauk Super Gillies in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) since the league's inception. Badani also coached the Jaffna Kings to two consecutive Lankan Premier League titles. He was the head coach of the Dubai Capitals, when they reached the final of the ILT20 this year.
Venugopal played 16 ODIs for India between 2005 and 2006. He played for the Delhi-based franchise between 2011 and 2013 in the IPL. He also represented Deccan Chargers and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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