Hemang Badani Named Head Coach of Delhi Capitals; Venugopal Rao as Director of Cricket

In a significant shift for the Delhi Capitals (DC), former Indian cricketer Hemang Badani has been appointed as the new head coach for IPL 2025. Alongside Badani's appointment, former Indian batter Venugopal Rao will step into the role of director of cricket. This restructuring comes as part of a broader effort by the DC management to revamp the coaching staff and organizational framework of a franchise that has yet to clinch an Indian Premier League (IPL) title.

Badani succeeds Ricky Ponting, who amicably departed after an extensive seven-season tenure as head coach. Venugopal Rao takes over the responsibilities previously held by former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who has been in the director role for the last few years. The changes reflect the decision made by the DC ownership to implement a comprehensive overhaul in their management approach.

In addition to these new appointments, DC will not be renewing the contract of Pravin Amre, who has been serving as the assistant coach and talent scout since 2014. This move aligns with the franchise's goal of rejuvenating their structure, especially after their struggles to secure an IPL championship.

A notable change in operational leadership is on the horizon, as the co-owners of Delhi Capitals—the GMR Group and JSW Sports—will alternate their leadership roles every two years for their respective teams in the IPL and the Women’s Premier League (WPL). This means that GMR Group will oversee the men’s team for the upcoming two seasons, while JSW Sports will take charge of the women’s team for 2025 and 2026. After this period, Ganguly will transition to the role of director of cricket for the WPL, returning to the IPL in 2027 when JSW Sports reassumes control.

In a media statement released on Thursday, the franchise clarified that key decisions regarding auctions, captaincy, player releases, and retentions for both teams will be made collaboratively by the DC board, ensuring mutual agreement between the senior leadership of both groups.

Why Hemang Badani?

The decision to appoint Hemang Badani, who has represented India in four Test matches and 40 ODIs, has generated intrigue among fans and analysts alike. Despite his limited international appearances, Badani has demonstrated considerable success as a coach in the domestic T20 circuit. His background includes valuable experience with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during their early years in the IPL. Most notably, Badani served as the head coach of Chepauk Super Gillies in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), where he guided the team to three championship titles. Under his stewardship, the team developed promising talents like R Sai Kishore, the current captain of the Tamil Nadu state team.

In 2022, Badani furthered his coaching experience by joining Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) as a fielding coach and scout. His extensive coaching resume also includes roles in various international T20 leagues. He was the assistant coach for Sunrisers Eastern Cape in 2023, a team that clinched the inaugural SA20 title. Additionally, Badani served as a coaching consultant for Jaffna Kings, helping them secure victory in the latest edition of the Lanka Premier League.

Moreover, Badani has been involved with franchises under the Capitals banner in global leagues. He was the head coach of Dubai Capitals—owned by GMR Group—where the team finished as runners-up in the ILT20 tournament held earlier this year. Recently, he also took on the role of a coaching consultant for Seattle Orcas in the Major League Cricket (MLC), another franchise associated with GMR Group.

At nearly 48 years old, Badani’s diverse coaching background, coupled with his understanding of T20 cricket dynamics, positions him well for his new role with the Delhi Capitals. His prior successes and familiarity with various franchise structures in international cricket will be crucial as he looks to reshape the fortunes of a team that has consistently fallen short of claiming the IPL trophy.

The changes within the coaching staff and management structure are seen as a pivotal step toward revitalizing the Delhi Capitals. As they prepare for the upcoming IPL season, Badani and Rao will be tasked with not only enhancing team performance but also fostering a culture of success and competitiveness that has eluded the franchise thus far.

With Badani at the helm as head coach and Rao guiding the cricketing direction, the Delhi Capitals are hoping to create a winning formula that resonates with both players and fans. The combination of their extensive cricketing knowledge and strategic insights may prove to be the catalyst needed for the franchise to finally break through and claim the elusive IPL title.

In conclusion, the appointment of Hemang Badani as head coach and Venugopal Rao as director of cricket marks a new era for the Delhi Capitals. With a clear mandate for restructuring and improvement, the franchise is setting its sights high for IPL 2025 and beyond. The confidence placed in Badani and Rao reflects the DC management's commitment to achieving success and building a competitive team capable of challenging for the championship. As the new leadership prepares to implement their strategies, the anticipation among fans and stakeholders is palpable, with hopes that this new direction will lead to a prosperous future for the Delhi Capitals.