Sourav Ganguly Named Delhi Capitals Head Coach Ahead of IPL 2027

Delhi Capitals on Tuesday appointed former India captain Sourav Ganguly as head coach of the franchise for the Indian Premier League, ahead of the 2027 season.

The 54-year-old replaces Hemang Badani, who coached the side in the last two seasons, according to reports. The franchise made the announcement on social media with the line, "Dilli, it's time for Dadagiri."

Ganguly has been associated with the franchise since 2019, when he joined as an advisor. He has since held several leadership roles across the Capitals set-up, including Director of Cricket for both the men's and women's teams, according to a press release.

"VERY CLOSE TO MY HEART"

Ganguly said he was looking forward to the job and called Delhi Capitals a franchise "very close to my heart." He said he had worked closely with the owners, management, support staff and players over the years, which made the role an exciting responsibility.

"We have a talented group and have played a good brand of cricket in the recent past," he said. "I am looking forward to working with the squad, the new season, and building a strong and fearless team."

Chairman and co-owner Parth Jindal called Ganguly "an integral part of the Delhi Capitals family" and said he was proud to announce that "one of the greatest Indian captains and administrators" was now stepping into coaching.

Jindal said he was sure the team would be best prepared to challenge for the IPL title under Ganguly's guidance and "visionary leadership," and that players and staff would learn from him.

Co-owner Kiran Kumar Grandhi said Ganguly had played an important role in strengthening the franchise's cricketing structure. His understanding of the team, together with his experience and leadership, would be "invaluable" going forward, he said. Grandhi wished him success as he begins "this exciting new chapter."

A FRANCHISE STILL CHASING ITS FIRST TITLE

Delhi Capitals have never won the IPL. Their closest finish was in 2020, when they reached the final.

The recent record has been poor. The side finished fifth in 2025, and sixth in 2026, with seven wins from 14 matches. The franchise missed the playoffs in both seasons, and hence the appointment is being seen as part of a push to revive the team.

GANGULY'S HISTORY WITH THE CAPITALS

Ganguly first worked with the franchise as an advisor in 2019, alongside head coach Ricky Ponting. That season Delhi reached the IPL playoffs for the first time since 2012. He left soon after to become BCCI president.

He returned to the franchise in 2024 as Director of Cricket for the JSW group, which co-owns the Capitals. His promotion comes as JSW takes over operational control from co-owners GMR Group under an alternating management arrangement for IPL 2027.

FROM CAPTAIN TO ADMINISTRATOR TO COACH

Ganguly retired from international cricket in 2008 and moved into administration. He has served as BCCI president, has chaired the ICC Men's Cricket Committee and is president of the Cricket Association of Bengal.

He is also no newcomer to coaching in the Capitals family. In August 2025, he was named head coach of Pretoria Capitals, the sister franchise in South Africa's SA20, for the 2026 season. His Delhi job is his first as head coach in the IPL.

The appointment comes ahead of the IPL 2027 auction. Ganguly's first task will be shaping a squad that has fallen short in recent seasons. The franchise has said nothing publicly yet about changes to the rest of the support staff.

With inputs from ANI