Delhi Capitals (DC) have named former India international Munaf Patel as their new bowling coach for IPL 2025. In the last month, they announced an overhaul of the coaching panel as Hemang Badani and Venugopal Rao were appointed as head coach and Director of Cricket, respectively. Notably, Delhi confirmed the development on November 12, but it was during UP20 2024 when the former cricketer announced himself for the role.
The 41-year-old retired from cricket in 2018 and since then, he has participated in legends’ leagues among other gigs. This will be his first professional job as a coach, and he has a tough job in his hands as Delhi still awaits their maiden IPL title.
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— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) November 12, 2024
He won the trophy previously when the pacer was in Mumbai Indians and apart from that, the 2011 World Cup winner also represented Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Lions. In total, Munaf has played 63 matches in the IPL and clinched 74 wickets at an economy of 7.51. Now, he will be replacing James Hopes in the DC set-up, who has parted ways with the franchise after they decided to bring in Indian staff who can spend more time with players beyond the season’s length.
Delhi meanwhile have retained Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Tristan Stubbs and Abishek Porel for the upcoming season. They had to release their captain Rishabh Pant ahead of the mega-auction as the franchise couldn’t convince the India international. They have two Right to Match (RTM) cards available which they can use in the auction and it won’t be surprising if the franchise uses that for Pant.
They have the third-highest purse of INR 73 crore available to spend in the auction. The franchise failed to make it to the playoffs in the last three editions and will be hoping to change that in 2025.
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