Former India cricketers Hemang Badani and Venugopal Rao have joined the Delhi Capitals support staff as head coach and Director of Cricket, respectively, the franchise announced on Thursday. Badani replaces former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who joined Punjab Kings after seven seasons with the Capitals, while Rao takes over from ex-India captain Sourav Ganguly.
On the same day, Ganguly was promoted to Director of Cricket at JSW Sports, where he will oversee all cricketing properties for the organization. DC also underwent management restructuring on Thursday, with co-owners JSW Sports and GMR Group establishing an operational agreement to manage multiple teams within the Capitals franchise on a rotational basis.
Badani Poised for the Most Significant Coaching Role of His Career
Former India middle-order batter Badani, who played four Tests and 40 ODIs from 2000 to 2004, previously served as head coach of the Chepauk Super Gillies in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), leading them to three titles. He also worked as a fielding coach.
The former Tamil Nadu captain collaborated with Brian Lara at Sunrisers Hyderabad as a fielding coach and scout from 2021 to 2023. Additionally, he was an assistant coach for Sunrisers Eastern Cape in SA20 and a coaching consultant for Jaffna Kings in the Lanka Premier League. At 47, he also coached the Dubai Capitals to the ILT20 final this year.
🚨𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓🚨
We're delighted to welcome Venugopal Rao & Hemang Badani in their roles as Director of Cricket (IPL) & Head Coach (IPL) respectively 🫡
Here's to a new beginning with a roaring vision for success 🙌
Click here to read the full story 👇🏻… pic.twitter.com/yorgd2dXop
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) October 17, 2024
Badani is poised for his most significant coaching role yet after being appointed as head coach of Delhi Capitals.
“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,” Badani said in a release shared by the Capitals on Thursday.
Venugopal Rao, who played 16 ODIs for India between 2005 and 2006, reflected on his long association with the franchise. The former middle-order batter played three seasons for Delhi Capitals (then Daredevils) from 2011 to 2013 and also served as a mentor and Director of Cricket for Dubai Capitals.
“My association with the franchise has been a long-standing one, and I am thankful for the trust our owners have placed in me by offering me this role,” said Rao. “I look forward to this new challenge ahead of a new IPL cycle.”
“We’re excited to welcome Hemang and Venu to Delhi Capitals in new roles. Their experience as coaches will be invaluable in helping us achieve our goals and drive success,” said Kiran Kumar Grandhi, Chairman & Co-owner.
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