Delhi Capitals have officially announced the appointment of former England captain Kevin Pietersen as their team mentor for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The franchise made the big revelation on Thursday, February 27, marking a significant return for one of their most iconic former players. Pietersen, who was once the captain of the franchise in 2014, is set to take on a crucial leadership role as the team undergoes a complete overhaul of its coaching structure ahead of the new season.
Pietersen will work closely with the newly appointed head coach Hemang Badani, who has been roped in to lead Delhi Capitals into a new era. The franchise has undergone major changes, parting ways with former head coach Ricky Ponting after the conclusion of IPL 2024. In addition to Pietersen’s appointment, Delhi Capitals have also strengthened their support staff by bringing in former England white-ball coach Matthew Mott as their assistant coach. Former Indian pacer Munaf Patel has been named the bowling coach, while Venugopal Rao will serve as the Director of Cricket. With a revamped coaching staff and an experienced mentor in Pietersen, Delhi Capitals are hoping to build a competitive squad for the upcoming season.
This will be Kevin Pietersen’s first official coaching role in the IPL, marking a new chapter in his cricketing career. The flamboyant former England batter last played in the Indian T20 league in 2016 and has since remained active as a commentator and analyst. His return to Delhi Capitals is particularly significant given his history with the franchise. He played for Delhi in 2012 and 2014, even leading the team in the latter season. However, that season turned out to be disappointing, as Delhi finished at the bottom of the table with just two wins. Now, with years of cricketing experience under his belt, Pietersen is eager to make an impact in his new mentoring role.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Pietersen said that he has fond memories of playing for Delhi in the IPL and was excited to return in a new capacity. He mentioned that his association with the franchise has remained strong over the years, even as a broadcaster. He also highlighted his long-standing rapport with Venugopal Rao, whom he played alongside during the 2012 season, and stated that he is looking forward to reconnecting with him in this new chapter. Pietersen added that his good relationship with the franchise’s owners and Delhi Capitals fans made it an easy decision for him to accept the role. He emphasized that he is fully committed to helping the team succeed and is eager to work closely with the squad to achieve their ultimate goal of winning the IPL title.
Pietersen’s journey in the IPL began with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2009 and 2010 before he moved to Delhi in 2012. His best IPL season came that year when he scored 305 runs, including a century, for the franchise. He continued playing in the league for a few more seasons, eventually finishing his IPL career with Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016. As a player, Pietersen was known for his aggressive batting and ability to turn games around, traits that he will now aim to instill in the Delhi Capitals squad as their mentor.
With the IPL 2025 season fast approaching, Delhi Capitals are yet to announce their captain for the upcoming campaign. The team will be looking to put together a strong squad as they aim to make a deep run in the tournament. IPL 2025 is scheduled to begin on March 22 and will run until May 25, with 10 teams battling it out across 13 venues. Fans of Delhi Capitals will be hoping that the appointment of Kevin Pietersen as mentor, combined with the new coaching setup, will bring the franchise one step closer to lifting the coveted IPL trophy.
