Delhi Capitals have announced the appointment of former India pacer Munaf Patel as their new bowling coach for the IPL 2025 season. The franchise revealed the news on Tuesday (Nov 12), marking a significant shift in their coaching setup as they aim to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season. Munaf's appointment is part of a broader overhaul of the support staff, which also sees Venugopal Rao take on the role of Director of Cricket, and Hemang Badani appointed as the new head coach.
The decision to bring Munaf Patel on board follows the departure of long-time head coach Ricky Ponting, as the Capitals focus on building a more Indian-centric coaching team. Munaf Patel, a veteran fast bowler who was part of India’s 2007 ICC World Cup-winning team, brings a wealth of experience to the role. In addition to his success at the international level, Munaf was also a key figure in Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2013 title victory, showcasing his skills as one of the league's most dependable pacers.
Munaf's IPL career spanned across several teams, including Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, and Gujarat Lions, where he played a total of 63 matches and claimed 74 wickets. His experience in all formats of the game, combined with his extensive IPL record, makes him a valuable addition to the Delhi Capitals' coaching staff. He will fill the vacancy left by James Hopes, offering fresh insights and expertise to the team's bowling department, which is expected to undergo a significant transformation under his guidance.
As part of their preparations for the IPL 2025 season, Delhi Capitals have also announced the retention of four key players. South African batter Tristan Stubbs, who has shown promise with his explosive batting, has been retained. India's spin duo Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, both of whom have been standout performers for the team, have also been kept in the squad. Additionally, Bengal's rising star, wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel, has been retained as an uncapped player, further strengthening the team's core.
With these changes in both the coaching staff and the player roster, Delhi Capitals are looking to build a competitive and balanced team for the upcoming IPL season, with the hope that Munaf Patel's expertise in fast bowling will be key to their success.
