Delhi Capitals have named former England batter Ian Bell as their new assistant coach for IPL 2026. This will be Bell’s first coaching role in the IPL, as the franchise looks to refresh its support staff after a mixed season last year.
Delhi Capitals finished fifth in IPL 2025 and missed out on the playoffs. The team showed promise but struggled for consistency across the season, which pushed the management to rethink its backroom setup ahead of the next cycle.
Ian Bell brings a rich playing career to the role. He represented England in 118 Tests, 161 ODIs and eight T20Is, building a reputation as one of the most reliable batters of his generation before retiring from international cricket in 2020.
Since retirement, Bell has steadily built his coaching profile. He has worked with the England Lions and England Under 19 teams, helping young players prepare for the jump to senior cricket. His experience across formats has been seen as a key strength.
Bell has also had exposure at the international level with other teams. He served as batting coach for Sri Lanka during their tour of England in 2024 and had a brief stint with New Zealand before the 2023 ODI World Cup, adding to his global coaching experience.
In franchise cricket, Bell was part of Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred. That role helped him understand short-format demands, player management, and preparation in high-pressure leagues, which will now be tested in the IPL environment.
At Delhi Capitals, Bell will work closely with Director of Cricket Venugopal Rao, head coach Hemang Badani and bowling coach Munaf Patel. The franchise believes this balanced support staff can help players prepare better and stay consistent through the long tournament.
Matthew Mott was the assistant coach during IPL 2025, a season where Delhi often struggled to convert good starts into match-winning totals. Bell’s arrival is expected to sharpen the batting unit and improve game awareness in key moments.
The franchise hopes Bell’s calm approach and deep understanding of batting will help young players and senior pros alike. With a stronger support system in place, Delhi Capitals are aiming for a more stable run and a serious playoff push in IPL 2026.