IPL 2025: Badani replaces Ponting as DC head coach; new role for Ganguly

Former India cricketers Hemang Badani and Venugopal Rao have joined the Delhi Capitals (DC) as Head Coach and Director of Cricket respectively for IPL 2025, the franchise announced on Thursday (October 17).

Ahead of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, DC announced the appointment of their new coaching staff. Badani will replace former Australian captain Ricky Ponting who recently ended his seven-year stint as DC’s head coach.

Also read: IPL 2025: Mahela Jayawardene returns to Mumbai Indians as head coach

Badani, who represented India in 4 Tests and 40 ODIs, brings with him an impressive coaching profile across leagues. Between 2021-23, he worked with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL as a fielding coach and a batting coach in successive seasons.

He also coached the Jaffna Kings franchise to two consecutive Lankan Premier League titles. Badani also worked as a batting coach with the title wining Sunrisers Eastern Cape side in the inaugural edition of the SA20. The 47-year-old was also Head Coach of the Dubai Capitals side that reached this year’s ILT20 final.

Also read: IPL 2025: Dale Steyn to leave Sunrisers Hyderabad as bowling coach

Speaking on his new role, Badani said, “It’s my absolute honour to be joining Delhi Capitals, and I’m deeply grateful to our owners for trusting me with the job. 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.”

Venugopal Rao, who played 16 ODIs for India, was a part of the 2009 IPL-winning squad with Deccan Chargers, played three seasons of the IPL with Delhi Daredevils (2011-13). He has also been part of Dubai Capitals family, serving as a mentor in the inaugural season and Director of Cricket in the next.

Ganguly is Director of Cricket for JSW Sports

Meanwhile, former India captain Sourav Ganguly was on Thursday appointed Director of Cricket for JSW Sports, his role covering all its cricketing properties including the Delhi team in the IPL and the WPL along with the Pretoria Capitals franchise in SA20.

JSW Sports and GMR Group co-own Delhi Capitals in the IPL and WPL (Women's Premier League) while Pretoria Capitals is owned solely by JSW Sports.

"In his role, Ganguly will spearhead all cricketing properties owned by JSW Sports, including the Delhi Capitals men's IPL and women's WPL teams, and the Pretoria Capitals that plays in the SA20 League in South Africa," said JSW Sports in a statement.

Ganguly joined Delhi Capitals in 2019 as an advisor, where he worked alongside coach Ricky Ponting, and later returned to the franchise as Director of Cricket after his stint as BCCI president.

Ganguly’s appointment came soon after it was decided that the management of cricket operations for Delhi Capitals' teams in the IPL and the WPL will be handled in a two-year rotation policy between GMR Group and JSW Group.

The GMR Group will handle the operations of the Delhi Capitals in the IPL for the next two years, while JSW Sports will handle the franchise's team in the WPL.