Hemang Badani named Delhi Capitals head coach, Venugopal Rao Director of Cricket
Former India batter Hemang Badani has been named as the new head coach of Delhi Capitals (DC) and former cricketer Venugopal Rao has been appointed as the franchise’s director of cricket ahead of IPL 2025 auctions.. These changes come as part of a broader overhaul of DC’s coaching and operational structure, aimed at breaking their IPL title drought.
Badani will replace former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who recently ended his seven-year tenure as head coach. Ponting’s time with the Capitals saw the team rise as contenders but fall short of clinching the coveted trophy. Venugopal Rao, meanwhile, will take over the director of cricket role, previously held by ex-India captain Sourav Ganguly, as the franchise looks to reshape its cricketing operations.
The Delhi Capitals, co-owned by the GMR Group and JSW Sports, issued a statement on Thursday outlining the new appointments as part of their strategy to strengthen the team. The management has also decided not to renew the contract of long-serving assistant coach and talent scout Pravin Amre, marking a fresh start for the team.
The new leadership duo brings a wealth of domestic experience. Badani, a former Tamil Nadu captain, played four Tests and 40 ODIs for India but has built a strong reputation as a coach. He previously led the Chepauk Super Gillies to three Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) titles, where he was instrumental in nurturing talent like Tamil Nadu’s current captain, R Sai Kishore. His coaching credentials and knowledge of Indian domestic cricket are expected to provide a fresh approach for the Capitals.
Venugopal Rao, who also played for India and featured prominently in the IPL, will oversee all cricketing operations as director. His appointment signals a focus on strategy and long-term planning, areas that have been prioritized by the franchise’s leadership.
This reshuffle comes at a time when the Capitals are looking for a turnaround, having struggled to secure an IPL title despite being competitive in recent seasons. The franchise’s owners have also implemented a new operational strategy for both their IPL and WPL teams, with GMR Group taking charge of the men’s team for the next two seasons and JSW Sports handling the women’s team.
Sourav Ganguly, who previously held the director of cricket role for the men’s team, will now shift to the same position for the women’s team in the WPL for 2025 and 2026. Ganguly is set to return to his IPL responsibilities in 2027 when JSW Sports takes over the men’s team again.
As the Capitals head into a new era with Badani and Rao at the helm, the franchise hopes this fresh leadership can finally guide them to their first IPL championship. The upcoming 2025 IPL season promises to be a crucial one for DC as they aim to reinvent their identity on and of
