Delhi Capitals have bolstered their coaching unit ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season by appointing former England batter Ian Bell as their assistant
coach. The franchise officially announced the development through its social media platforms on Tuesday, marking Bell's first association with an IPL team in a coaching capacity.
Bell, widely regarded as one of England's most technically sound batters, enjoyed an illustrious international career. He represented England in 118 Test matches, 161 One-Day Internationals, and eight T20 Internationals before retiring from all formats of the game in 2020.
Since stepping away from professional cricket, Bell has steadily built his coaching resume across different levels of the sport.
The 43-year-old has been actively involved with England's developmental pathways, working closely with the England Lions and the country's Under-19 sides. His experience also extends to the international arena, having served as Sri Lanka's batting coach during their Test tour of England in 2024. Bell further gained exposure to high-performance environments when he briefly worked with the New Zealand men's team during their England tour ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Additionally, he was part of the coaching group for Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred, where he contributed as an assistant coach.
At Delhi Capitals, Bell will join an experienced coaching panel led by Director of Cricket Venugopal Rao. The team's support staff also includes head coach Hemang Badani and bowling coach Munaf Patel. The franchise will be hoping that Bell's vast playing experience and modern coaching insights will strengthen their batting unit and overall team strategy.
Delhi Capitals endured a mixed IPL 2025 campaign. The side showed promise early in the season but lost momentum in the latter stages, eventually finishing fifth in the standings and narrowly missing out on a playoff berth. Australian coach Matthew Mott had served as the assistant coach during that season.
With Bell's appointment, Delhi Capitals appear focused on refining their preparation and improving consistency as they aim to make a stronger push for the playoffs in IPL 2026. His expertise, particularly in handling pressure situations and mentoring young players, is expected to add valuable depth to the franchise's coaching structure.
