Delhi went for the biggest name in Indian cricket to end its title drought, handing Dada the head coach job for IPL 2027. Hemang Badani makes way.
Delhi Capitals have officially announced that former India captain Sourav Ganguly will take over as head coach ahead of IPL 2027. The franchise confirmed the appointment on Tuesday 6 October 2026. Ganguly replaces Hemang Badani in the role, and the move marks his return to the dugout in a coaching capacity.
Why Delhi went for Dada
This is not a first date. Ganguly has previously served as the franchise's Director of Cricket, so he knows the setup, the city and the pressure that comes with a team that has never won the trophy. Delhi have waited a long time for a title, and handing the head coach job to one of the most recognisable figures in Indian cricket is a loud way of saying the wait should end. The franchise broke the news on social media on 6 October with a post playing on his famous "Dadagiri" nickname, which tells you the tone Delhi want around this appointment: confident, a little cheeky and very much in the spotlight.
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Sourav Ganguly |
| Outgoing | Hemang Badani |
| Assistant/batting coach (reported) | Yuvraj Singh |
| Bowling coaches (reported) | Chaminda Vaas, Amit Mishra |
| Season | IPL 2027 |
What this means for the 2027 season
Delhi missed the IPL 2026 playoffs and are rebuilding, so the timing matters. A big-name head coach signals intent ahead of the new season, and it gives the squad a figure with huge standing in the game to rally around. Earlier reporting had already pointed to a broader coaching overhaul. Reports suggest Yuvraj Singh is expected as assistant and batting coach, with Chaminda Vaas and Amit Mishra as bowling coaches. Cricinfo reported on 14 September 2026 that the duo were "set to join". None of those staff appointments should be treated as officially confirmed here: only Ganguly's role has been announced.
If the reports hold, a group of Ganguly, Yuvraj, Vaas and Mishra would be one of the most decorated coaching staffs in the league, mixing captaincy experience, a World Cup-winning batting pedigree and years of bowling craft. Whether that translates into results is a question for the 2027 season itself.
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