New Delhi, India

Delhi Capitals (DC) has roped in former India batter Hemang Badani as their new head coach ahead of IPL 2025. While Badani has replaced Ricky Ponting, ex-India cricketer Venugopal Rao has succeeded Sourav Ganguly as the franchise’s new director of cricket. DC also decided against renewing Praveen Amre’s contract in a major revamp, who had served as the assistant coach and talent scout since 2014.

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Per the latest reports, the DC’s ownership took this call to overhaul the coaching staff and overall running structure of the franchise that is yet to win an IPL title. As part of the franchise’s restructuring, DC’s co-owners – GMR Group and JSW Sports – are said to be swapping the operational leadership roles every two years for the respective teams in the IPL and the Women’s Premier League (WPL).

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Meanwhile, Ganguly will take over as the director of cricket for the WPL franchise for the upcoming two seasons (2025 and 2026). He will return to the same position in the IPL for the 2027 season when JSW Sports returns to take charge. 

In a media statement on Thursday (Oct 17), the franchise said, "Key decisions like auctions, captaincy, player release and retentions of both teams will be made by the Delhi Capitals' board, and will be decided mutually by senior leadership of both groups."

Badani’s impressive CV urged DC

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Despite having had several top names in the leadership group before, DC ownership seemed impressed by Badani’s CV as a coach. Badani has been a successful coach in the domestic T20 circuit. During his early days in the IPL, Badani was part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) backroom staff before joining Chepauk Super Gillies in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), winning the title three times with them.

Besides, Badani joined SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) as a fielding coach and scout in IPL 2022. 

The former India batter also tried his hand at coaching in the overseas T20 leagues, working as an assistant coach with SunRisers Eastern Cape in 2023, when they won the inaugural SA20 title. 

Lately, Badani worked as a coaching consultant for Jaffna Kings in the Lankan Premier League (LPL), helping them win the latest edition.

Meanwhile, DC hasn't announced the list of retentions, with the submission date being October 31.

(With inputs from agencies)