Delhi Capitals (DC) have added recent vitality to their backroom workers forward of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, appointing an England nice as their new assistant coach. The transfer alerts a strategic shift for the franchise after Australian tactician Matthew Mott accomplished his stint as assistant coach in the course of the 2025 marketing campaign.
After narrowly lacking out on a playoff berth final season, the Capitals seem decided to fine-tune each their squad and assist system. The administration believes that the inclusion of a seasoned worldwide identify within the teaching group will carry calmness, tactical depth, and precious mentorship to a aspect brimming with expertise however in search of consistency.
England icon begins IPL journey as assistant coach of Delhi Capitals
The person entrusted with this duty is none aside from former England batting mainstay Ian Bell. Broadly considered considered one of England’s most elegant and reliable batters of his era, Bell shall be experiencing the IPL surroundings for the primary time in any official capability.
Bell’s taking part in profession speaks volumes about his pedigree. Representing England in 118 Assessments, 161 ODIs, and eight T20 internationals, he was recognized for his classical strokeplay and composure underneath stress. Since retiring from skilled cricket in 2020, Bell has quietly constructed a formidable teaching résumé.
He has been intently related to England’s Lions and Beneath-19 setups, taking part in a vital function in grooming rising expertise. His eye for method and temperament has earned reward inside English cricketing circles. Bell additionally served as batting coach for Sri Lanka throughout their 2024 Check tour of England, gaining precious worldwide publicity from the opposite aspect of the dressing room.
As well as, he had a brief project with New Zealand’s males’s aspect throughout their preparations in England earlier than the 2023 ODI World Cup. On the franchise circuit, Bell was a part of Birmingham Phoenix’s teaching unit in The Hundred, additional strengthening his T20 credentials.
At Delhi Capitals, he’ll work underneath Director of Cricket Venugopal Rao, alongside head coach Hemang Badani and bowling coach Munaf Patel. The Capitals are hopeful that Bell’s calm presence and technical experience will sharpen their batting unit in crunch conditions — an space that price them dearly in IPL 2025.
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A balanced DC squad prepared for the massive problem
Past the teaching change, Delhi Capitals have assembled a squad that appears each balanced and battle-ready for IPL 2026. The franchise has blended established Indian stars with good abroad acquisitions to create a formidable unit.
After parting methods with underperformers corresponding to Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk, DC strengthened their prime order by signing Pathum Nissanka and Ben Duckett, whereas additionally bringing again Prithvi Shaw so as to add stability on the prime. The commerce acquisition of Nitish Rana and the public sale steal of David Miller for ₹2 crore present expertise and ending prowess alongside the retained Tristan Stubbs.
Their tempo battery could possibly be some of the feared within the league, spearheaded by Mitchell Starc, T. Natarajan, and Lungi Ngidi. In the meantime, the ₹8.40 crore funding in uncapped all-rounder Auqib Nabi Dar might show to be a masterstroke if he delivers on his potential. Within the spin division, the trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Vipraj Nigam ensures management in the course of the center overs.
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