Delhi Capitals (DC) have refreshed their coaching team ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, bringing in a former England player as the new assistant coach. This change comes after Australian coach Matthew Mott left the role following the 2025 season.
After just missing the playoffs last year, the Capitals are keen to improve their squad and support structure. The management believes that adding an experienced International figure will enhance their team’s strategy, provide guidance, and help improve consistency in performance.
England star takes on assistant coach role at Delhi Capitals
Former England player Ian Bell has been appointed to this key position. Bell, known for his elegant batting style, will be experiencing the IPL in a coaching role for the first time.
His playing record includes 118 Tests, 161 ODIs, and eight T20 internationals, showcasing his skills and ability to remain calm under pressure. After retiring from Cricket in 2020, Bell has built a strong coaching background.
He has worked with England’s Lions and Under-19 teams, helping develop young talent. Bell also served as batting coach for Sri Lanka during their Test series in England in 2024, gaining valuable experience from a different perspective. He was also briefly involved with New Zealand’s men’s team before the 2023 ODI World Cup and part of Birmingham Phoenix’s coaching staff during The Hundred, enhancing his T20 experience.
At Delhi Capitals, he will collaborate with Director of Cricket Venugopal Rao, head coach Hemang Badani, and bowling coach Munaf Patel. The Capitals hope Bell’s expertise will help improve their batting performance in crucial moments, as this was a challenge in IPL 2025.
A well-rounded DC team set for IPL 2026
In addition to the coaching changes, Delhi Capitals have put together a strong squad that looks ready for IPL 2026. They have combined veteran Indian players with smart international signings to form a competitive team.
After parting ways with underperforming players like Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk, DC has strengthened their top order by acquiring Pathum Nissanka and Ben Duckett, along with bringing back Prithvi Shaw for stability. They also acquired Nitish Rana and secured David Miller for ₹2 crore, adding experience and finishing ability to the lineup alongside Tristan Stubbs.
Their pace attack, led by Mitchell Starc, T. Natarajan, and Lungi Ngidi, is expected to be one of the strongest in the tournament. Meanwhile, their ₹8.40 crore investment in uncapped all-rounder Auqib Nabi Dar has the potential to pay off significantly. In the spin department, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Vipraj Nigam will provide control during crucial middle overs.
