The Delhi Capitals (DC) have finalized their support staff for the upcoming two IPL seasons, despite some uncertainty regarding Rishabh Pant’s future with the team. Hemang Badani will step in as head coach, while his former India teammate, Venugopal Rao, will take on the role of director of cricket.
Having played together for MRF in the Chennai league, Badani and Rao share a strong bond and professional rapport. The management has allowed them to choose the rest of the coaching staff. Replacing Ricky Ponting, who was head coach for seven years, will be challenging, but the management has opted not to pursue high-profile names.
Venugopal Rao, 42, has played 16 ODIs and has been part of three teams, including the Delhi Capitals, while Badani, 47, represented India in four Tests and 40 ODIs. Venugopal and Badani have both been associated with the franchise’s other teams, particularly in the ILT20 in the UAE and Major League Cricket in the US.
Notably, both the Dubai Capitals and Seattle Orcas are owned by Kiran Kumar Grandhi of the GMR Group, which co-owns the Delhi Capitals alongside the JSW Group. The management of the franchise alternates between the two partners every two years, with GMR currently in charge.
Regarding Rishabh Pant, whose late-night post on October 12 generated much speculation in IPL circles, he is expected to remain with the team. Currently focused on a Test assignment, the management is choosing not to disturb him, anticipating he will confirm his commitment after the series concludes.
Franchise Deadline for Player Retentions is October 31
In the IPL, a significant topic of discussion is that many players, including some high-profile names, are opting not to be retained and are instead looking to test their market value in the auction.
They feel encouraged by the new Right to Match (RTM) rule, which gives the highest bidder a final opportunity to raise their bid to their preferred amount before the RTM is used.
While this new clause has faced criticism from some franchises, it has empowered player agents—especially those representing international players—to negotiate better deals with teams.
Though a new franchise may not always secure the player, the auction can increase the player’s value to their target amount. Reports indicate that some player managers have initiated informal discussions for their clients.
It has been reported that either a city in Saudi Arabia or Singapore could be selected as the venue for the IPL auction, and Vienna is now also under consideration. The auction is anticipated to occur by the end of November, and franchises are eager for the venue to be announced soon so they can organize travel for their delegations.
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