Former Team India seamer Munaf Patel has been appointed as the Delhi Capitals’ bowling coach ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The franchise made the announcement on Tuesday, November 12, as they aim to secure their first-ever IPL title.
Munaf, who played for India in 13 Tests, 70 ODIs, and three T20Is between 2006 and 2011, has also represented Gujarat Lions, Mumbai Indians, and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. In 63 matches, the 41-year-old took 74 wickets at an average of 22.95, including one five-wicket haul. However, he has not featured in an IPL match since 2017.
One of Munaf’s most significant achievements in international cricket was his key role in India’s 2011 World Cup victory on home soil. He took 11 wickets in eight matches, averaging 32.09.
Munaf will be part of the backroom staff led by Venugopal Rao, the Director of Cricket, and Hemang Badani, the head coach. Earlier this year, the franchise parted ways with their long-time head coach Ricky Ponting. The new coaching team, consisting of Rao and Badani, was given the task of recruiting the remaining members of the support staff.
Delhi Capitals to part ways with Rishabh Pant ahead of the IPL 2025 auction
In the meantime, the Capitals have released Rishabh Pant ahead of the mega auction, with the keeper-batter expected to play for a different franchise for the first time since his debut in 2014. The players retained by the team include Axar Patel (₹16.50 crore), Kuldeep Yadav (₹13.25 crore), Tristan Stubbs (₹10 crore), and Abhishek Porel (₹4 crore).
With Ricky Ponting stepping down as head coach, former Team India cricketer Hemang Badani will take over the role. Ponting has now assumed the role of head coach at Punjab Kings, while Pant is expected to attract significant interest during the upcoming auction.
The Capitals finished sixth in the IPL 2024 points table, marking their third consecutive season without making the playoffs. The mega auction will be held on November 24 and 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with 1,574 players having registered to participate.
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