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Written by Akash Saha | Edited and fact-checked by Amit Saha | Editorial policy
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly is the new head coach of Delhi Capitals (DC). The franchise confirmed the appointment through a social-media video on Tuesday afternoon, ending weeks of speculation and putting the 54-year-old in charge of the IPL dugout for the first time ahead of the 2027 season.
Ganguly replaces Hemang Badani, who had led the side since 2024. The change follows a second straight season in which Delhi failed to reach the playoffs.
Key facts at a glance
- New role: Head coach, Delhi Capitals (IPL men’s team)
- Replaces: Hemang Badani (head coach since 2024)
- Announced: Tuesday, October 6, 2026
- DC in IPL 2026: Sixth place, 7 wins and 7 losses in 14 games, net run rate -0.051
- First test: The IPL 2027 mini-auction
Why Delhi Capitals made the change
Delhi have never won the IPL. Their closest call came in 2020, when they reached their only final. Since then, the side has struggled to turn talent into consistent results, and the 2026 campaign summed it up: an even 7-7 record that left them sixth, outside the top four.
The entire previous coaching group has now been cleared out. That set-up included Venugopal Rao as team director, Badani as head coach, Munaf Patel as bowling coach and Ian Bell as assistant coach, all of whom had been in place for the past two seasons.
What Ganguly and the owners said
In a statement released by the franchise, Ganguly described Delhi Capitals as a club close to his heart and said he had worked closely with its owners, staff and players for years. He added that he wanted to build “a strong and fearless team” for the new season.
DC chairman and co-owner Parth Jindal, who also founded JSW Sports, welcomed the move warmly, saying: “Dada is and has always been an integral part of the Delhi Capitals family.” Co-owner Kiran Kumar Grandhi said Ganguly’s knowledge of the franchise’s cricket structure would help him in the role.
Ganguly’s long road with the Capitals
This is a promotion from within rather than a fresh hire. Ganguly’s relationship with the franchise goes back to 2019, when he joined as an advisor to then head coach Ricky Ponting. That season, Delhi made the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
He left soon after to become BCCI president. On returning to franchise cricket, he took up the post of Director of Cricket across the Capitals ecosystem, covering both the IPL men’s side and the Women’s Premier League team.
Coaching record: the Pretoria Capitals stint
Ganguly’s only previous head coaching job came in South Africa. He took charge of Pretoria Capitals, DC’s sister franchise, for the 2026 SA20 season after Jonathan Trott left the role.
The results were encouraging. Pretoria, who had won just two of ten group games the year before, finished second in the league table and reached the final in Cape Town on January 25, 2026. Dewald Brevis hit the first century ever scored in an SA20 final, but Sunrisers Eastern Cape chased down 159 with four balls to spare to win by six wickets.
That run from also-rans to finalists in one season is likely a big reason DC’s owners trusted him with the IPL job.
Who joins Ganguly in the DC support staff?
The rest of the back room is still being finalised. Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh is widely expected to come in as batting coach, reuniting him with his old India captain, though the franchise had not formally confirmed it at the time of writing. Some reports also name former Sri Lanka pacer Chaminda Vaas as bowling coach and ex-India leg-spinner Amit Mishra, a long-time Delhi favourite, as spin bowling coach.
We will update this story once Delhi Capitals announce the full coaching staff.
What it means for IPL 2027
Ganguly’s first big call will be at the IPL 2027 mini-auction, where Delhi need to fix the gaps that cost them a playoff place. A few questions are already being asked:
- Captaincy: Axar Patel led the side in 2026. Some reports suggest KL Rahul could be considered, but nothing has been announced.
- Indian core: Ganguly’s reputation as India captain was built on backing young Indian talent. Expect DC to lean on that approach in retention and auction decisions.
- Ownership shift: Under the JSW-GMR rotation model, JSW Group is set to take over running the men’s IPL team in 2027. Ganguly, who has worked with JSW for years, fits naturally into that structure.
Our take
Appointing Ganguly is a low-risk, high-familiarity move. He knows the owners, the players and the system, and his SA20 season showed he can lift an underperforming team quickly. The bigger question is whether a coach best known as a leader and talent-spotter can deliver the tactical edge Delhi have lacked in tight games. With Yuvraj expected alongside him, DC’s new dugout will have plenty of star power. Turning that into a first IPL title is the real job.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the new head coach of Delhi Capitals for IPL 2027?
Sourav Ganguly, the former India captain and ex-BCCI president, was appointed on October 6, 2026.
Whom did Sourav Ganguly replace at Delhi Capitals?
He replaced Hemang Badani, who had been head coach since 2024.
Has Sourav Ganguly coached before?
Yes. He coached Pretoria Capitals in the 2026 SA20, leading them to the final, where they lost to Sunrisers Eastern Cape by six wickets.
Where did Delhi Capitals finish in IPL 2026?
Sixth, with seven wins and seven losses from 14 matches.
Is Yuvraj Singh joining Delhi Capitals?
Yuvraj is widely expected to be named batting coach, but the franchise had not officially confirmed it at the time of publishing.
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