Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has been appointed assistant and batting coach of Delhi Capitals ahead of the next Indian Premier League (IPL) season. He will work alongside head coach Sourav Ganguly, his former India team-mate, as the franchise prepares for the upcoming campaign. The appointment marks Yuvraj’s first formal coaching role.
ESPNcricinfo reported in June that Delhi Capitals had decided to appoint Ganguly as head coach and Yuvraj as batting coach. The franchise officially confirmed Ganguly’s appointment last week before announcing Yuvraj’s new role on Tuesday.
One of India’s most celebrated limited-overs cricketers, Yuvraj played a key role in the country’s triumphs at the 2007 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and the 2011 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Known for his aggressive batting, useful left-arm spin and ability to perform under pressure, he will now look to use that experience to help develop Delhi’s batting unit.
Yuvraj expressed his excitement about beginning a new chapter with Delhi Capitals. He said his longstanding association with the franchise, along with his familiarity with its owners, made the opportunity particularly special.
In a statement, Yuvraj said he was delighted to join the franchise and was looking forward to working with Ganguly, whom he affectionately calls ‘Dada’. Having shared the dressing room with Ganguly during his playing career, Yuvraj will now partner his former team-mate in a coaching capacity.
He also spoke about his passion for coaching and his eagerness to work with a talented group of players. Yuvraj said he expected the experience to be an exciting journey and was keen to contribute to the team’s success.
Although this is his first official coaching appointment, Yuvraj has already been involved in helping younger Indian cricketers improve their batting. Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma are among the players who have acknowledged his guidance and influence on their development. His experience of international cricket and understanding of batting techniques could prove valuable as Delhi Capitals seek greater consistency from their line-up.
Yuvraj is no stranger to the franchise. Delhi signed him for Rs 16 crore ahead of the 2015 IPL season, making him the most expensive player in the tournament’s history at the time. He played 14 matches for the team that season, scoring 248 runs and taking one wicket.
Across his IPL career, Yuvraj featured in 132 matches, scoring 2,750 runs and claiming 36 wickets. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball made him a valuable all-rounder during his playing days.
He announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in 2019, bringing an end to a career filled with memorable performances for India. One of his most iconic achievements came during the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, when he struck six sixes in an over against England’s Stuart Broad. He went on to play a significant role in India’s 2011 World Cup triumph and was named Player of the Tournament.
Yuvraj’s appointment adds further experience to Delhi Capitals’ coaching set-up under Ganguly. The combination of Ganguly’s leadership and cricketing knowledge with Yuvraj’s batting expertise and experience of working with emerging players could help strengthen the team ahead of the next season.
However, the success of the new coaching partnership will ultimately depend on how effectively the players respond and perform on the field. For Yuvraj, the appointment represents an important transition from his celebrated playing career to a new role in developing talent and contributing to the franchise’s ambitions from the dugout.