Former finalists Delhi Capitals appointed 2011 World Cup-winning fast bowler Munaf Patel as their bowling coach for the Indian Premier League 2025 season. Delhi confirmed the addition of the former pacer to their coaching staff on Tuesday, November 12.
This will be Munaf Patel’s first coaching job since retiring from competitive cricket in 2018. Munaf had been playing franchise-based cricket involving retired cricketers. He played in the Indian Veterans Premier League as recently as February 2024.
Munaf Patel seems to have begun work with the franchise as the Delhi Capitals shared a video of the ex-pacer in the team’s jersey from the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Munaf will work in a revamped coaching staff of the Delhi Capitals. After parting ways with Ricky Ponting, Delhi roped in former India all-rounder Hemang Badani as their head coach and former batter Venugopal Rao as their Director of Cricket for IPL 2025. Munaf replaces James Hopes, the former Australia medium pacer who quit alongside Ponting.
Delhi Capitals seem to be intent on building an all-Indian support group, headed by local talents Rao and Badani. The former finalists did not retain their captain Rishabh Pant in a shocking move before the mega auction, scheduled for November 24 and 25.
Munaf Patel played 13 Tests, 70 ODIs and three T20Is between 2006 and 2011. The initial stages of Munaf’s career was marked by his raw pace and potential, which initially made him one of the quickest Indian bowlers. However, his progress was frequently hindered by injuries. Despite the setbacks, he managed to contribute significantly to India’s success, particularly during the 2011 World Cup.
Munaf finished with 125 wickets in his international career with 86 of them coming in ODIs at an impressive economy rate of 4.95.
Munaf last played the IPL in 2017 for the now-defunct Gujarat Lions franchise. He was part of the victorious Mumbai Indians team in 2013. After the highs of the season, Munaf did not feature in the league for three years before his swansong with the Lions. Overall, Munaf played 63 IPL games and took 74 wickets at an average of 22 and an economy rate of 7.51.
