IPL 2025: Hemang Badani to Become Delhi Capitals Coach, What Next for Former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly?

Delhi Capitals (DC) have appointed former India batsman Hemang Badani as their new head coach for IPL 2025. Along with Badani, Venugopal Rao, another ex-India player, steps in as the director of cricket.

Badani succeeds Ricky Ponting, who left his role after a commendable seven-year tenure. Meanwhile, Rao takes over from Sourav Ganguly, who had served in that position for several years. These leadership changes are part of a comprehensive strategy by DC’s ownership to revitalise their coaching team and organisational structure, especially as they strive to clinch their first IPL championship.

Restructuring Under Process in DC

As part of their restructuring plan, Delhi Capitals (DC) co-owners GMR Group and JSW Sports have agreed to alternate operational leadership roles for their franchises in both the IPL and WPL every two years. As a result, Sourav Ganguly will step in as the director of cricket for the WPL franchise over the next two seasons (2025 and 2026). He will transition back to the IPL for the 2027 season when JSW Sports resumes its operational control.

Who’s Hemang Badani?

Former Tamil Nadu cricketer Hemang Badani, who represented India in four Tests and 40 ODIs from 2001 to 2004, is best remembered for his standout performance during the 2001 ODI series against Australia, where he scored a memorable century.

Sourav Ganguly’s Future in IPL?

Sourav Ganguly is stepping away from his long-standing role in the IPL and will not hold any position with the league for the foreseeable future. Instead, he will lead the Delhi Capitals Women’s team in the Women’s Premier League and manage Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 league in South Africa. Notably, Ganguly remains open to joining any IPL franchise for the 2025 season, although no official announcement has been made regarding his future plans.