In what comes as a big development, Delhi Capitals (DC) is looking at former India cricketer Hemang Badani to replace Ricky Ponting as head coach for IPL 2025. The franchise released Ponting from his duties earlier this year. Capitals have Sourav Ganguly as Director Of Cricket and they are on the lookout for a new coaching set-up. In addition to Hemang Badani, the franchise is also mulling over roping in Munaf Patel as the bowling coach for IPL 2025.

“DC management is looking at quality home-grown coaches and Hemang and Munaf’s names have cropped up. A final decision is yet to be taken but in case of Munaf, it could be the bowling coach’s job,” an IPL source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Badani, who played four Tests and 40 ODIs for India, never coached an IPL team, but he previously worked with Sunrisers Hyderabad's coaching staff. Among his notable achievements as head coach, he led Chepauk Super Gillies to four Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) titles. He also worked as a consultant for Jaffna Kings in the Lanka Premier League.

The report further revealed the franchise's possible retentions. As per the report, the franchise can retain Rishabh Pant for 18 crore, Axar Patel for 14 crore, and Kuldeep Yadav for 11 crore. The report further adds that the Capitals can use Right To Match (RTM) cards for overseas stars Jake Frazer McGurk and Tristan Stubbs. The young Aussie McGurk has been a revelation. He came into IPL 2024 as a replacement for Lungi Ngidi and showed brute power-hitting skills. He scored 330 runs in just nine innings at a strike rate of 234.04. He will be on the radar of several franchises if Delhi Capitals decides not to retain him. McGurk could be a long-term prospect for the Capitals along with South African star Stubbs.

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