Munaf Patel, the former Indian pacer and 2011 ODI World Cup winner, has been appointed as the new bowling coach of the Delhi Capitals (DC) franchise for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. This marks Munaf’s first major coaching role since his retirement from competitive cricket in 2018.
Munaf, known for his ability to generate reverse swing and deliver accurate yorkers, represented India in 86 matches across all three formats from 2006 to 2011. He also played for several IPL franchises, including Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, and Gujarat Lions, winning the IPL title with Mumbai in 2013.
Munaf replaces former Australia all-rounder James Hopes, who parted ways with DC in July 2024. The franchise has undergone a significant overhaul in its coaching staff, with Hemang Badani as head coach and Venugopal Rao as director of cricket.
As part of their preparations for the upcoming IPL cycle, DC has retained key players such as Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and Abishek Porel. They will enter the auction on November 24 and 25 with the third-highest purse of INR 73 crore, aiming to strengthen their squad and improve their performance after failing to reach the playoffs in the last three IPL seasons.
Munaf’s appointment is expected to bolster DC’s bowling attack, which has struggled for consistency in recent years. His experience and expertise in the art of fast bowling will be invaluable to the team’s young bowlers.
