Hemang Badani and Venugopal Rao are all set to lead the Delhi Capitals coaching staff for the forthcoming edition of the Indian Premier League, as reported by Cricbuzz. The former is set to take charge as a head coach, while Venugopal Rao has been appointed as the team’s director of cricket.
Former India skipper and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly was the franchise’s director of cricket, but there is no more update on his future.
Notably, Badani will be replacing 2003 ODI World Cup-winning skipper Ricky Ponting, who has shifted his base to Punjab Kings after being released from DC ahead of the 2025 IPL auctions. The former Aussie batter was with Delhi Capitals for the past seven years but failed to win the title.
Badani and Rao have been associated with franchises with Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 in the UAE and Seattle Orcas in the Major League Cricket in the USA. These two sides are owned by Delhi Capitals co-owner Kiran Kumar Grandhi.
“It’s my absolute honor to be joining DC, and I’m deeply grateful to our owners for trusting me with the job.”
Badani said in a release.
“With the mega auction around the corner, my job, in collaboration with the rest of our coaching staff, is cut out. I can’t wait to get started.”
Rao said.
Regarding their dynamics, Badani has played four ODIs and four Tests but has never had the chance to play in the IPL. In contrast, Rao has made his way in the 65 IPL matches and amassed 985 runs. He has also played 16 ODIs for Team India.
