New Delhi: Delhi Capitals have bolstered their support staff ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season by appointing former England international Ian Bell as their new assistant coach. The franchise confirmed Bell’s appointment through their official social media platforms on Tuesday, marking his first involvement in the IPL in any capacity.
Bell, regarded as one of England’s finest batters of his generation, brings a wealth of cricketing knowledge and international experience to the role, despite never previously working within an IPL setup.
Decorated Playing Career for England
During an illustrious international career, Bell represented England in 118 Test matches, 161 One-Day Internationals and eight T20 Internationals before retiring from professional cricket in 2020. Known for his elegant batting and technical excellence, Bell played a key role in several historic England victories across formats.
Growing Coaching Experience Post-Retirement
Since stepping away from the game, Bell has steadily built an impressive coaching portfolio. He has worked extensively with England’s Lions and Under-19 teams, helping nurture young talent in the national development pathway.
In recent years, Bell also served as batting coach for Sri Lanka’s Test team during their 2024 tour of England, gaining valuable experience in international coaching environments. Additionally, he had a short coaching stint with New Zealand’s men’s team ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup, further broadening his exposure to elite international setups.
In franchise cricket, Bell has previously worked in The Hundred, serving as assistant coach for Birmingham Phoenix in the men’s competition.
New Coaching Setup at Delhi Capitals
At Delhi Capitals, Bell will join a coaching group led by Director of Cricket Venugopal Rao, with Hemang Badani as head coach and Munaf Patel as bowling coach. His appointment comes after a backroom staff reshuffle, with Australian coach Matthew Mott having served as assistant coach during the 2025 IPL season.
Capitals Eye Stronger IPL 2026 Campaign
Delhi Capitals had a mixed IPL 2025 campaign, starting the season strongly but losing momentum midway and finishing fifth on the points table, narrowly missing out on a playoff berth. Bell’s addition reflects the franchise’s intention to bring fresh ideas, technical expertise, and international experience as they prepare for IPL 2026.