Delhi Capitals announced on Tuesday that former Indian fast bowler Munaf Patel has been appointed as their new bowling coach for the IPL 2025 season. Under the guidance of new head coach Hemang Badani, Munaf’s extensive experience will play a key role in strengthening the DC squad ahead of the 2025 mega auction.
At 41, Munaf has represented India in all three formats and was part of the 2011 ODI World Cup-winning team. He has also played for Rajasthan Royals (2008-10), Mumbai Indians (2011-13), and Gujarat Lions (2017), taking 74 wickets in 63 IPL matches.
Delhi Capitals Appoint Munaf Patel as Head Coach
Delhi Capitals, former IPL finalists, have appointed Munaf Patel, the 2011 World Cup-winning fast bowler, as their head coach for the 2025 season. The team announced his addition to the coaching staff on Tuesday, November 12.
This will be Munaf Patel’s first coaching role since he retired from competitive cricket in 2018. Before his coaching appointment, he had been involved in franchise-based cricket, including playing in the Indian Veterans Premier League as recently as February 2024.
Munaf Patel has already started his work with the Delhi Capitals, as the franchise shared a video of him wearing the team’s jersey at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
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Delhi Capitals Revamp Coaching Staff
Munaf Patel will join the revamped coaching staff of Delhi Capitals for IPL 2025. Following the departure of Ricky Ponting, the team has appointed former India all-rounder Hemang Badani as head coach and ex-batter Venugopal Rao as Director of Cricket. Munaf takes over from James Hopes, the former Australian medium pacer, who stepped down along with Ponting.
Delhi Capitals are focusing on an all-Indian support team, led by local talents Rao and Badani. In a surprising move, they chose not to retain captain Rishabh Pant ahead of the mega auction, which will take place on November 24 and 25.
Munaf Patel
Munaf Patel, a former Indian cricketer, had a career that spanned from 2006 to 2011. During this time, he played 13 Test matches, 70 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 3 T20Is for India. Munaf was known for his raw pace and ability to bowl quickly, which initially made him one of the fastest bowlers in India. However, his career was often interrupted by injuries, which slowed down his progress.
Despite these setbacks, Munaf had a significant impact on India’s cricket success, especially in the 2011 Cricket World Cup. He played an important role in India’s victory, contributing with the ball during key matches.
In terms of his international statistics, Munaf took a total of 125 wickets. Out of these, 86 wickets came from ODIs, and he maintained an impressive economy rate of 4.95 runs per over, which is considered quite good for a bowler.
Munaf Patel also had a notable career in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He played for several teams, including the Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Lions. His most successful year in the IPL came in 2013 when he was part of the Mumbai Indians squad that won the title.
After that, he didn’t play in the IPL for three years, but returned in 2017 to play his final season with the now-defunct Gujarat Lions. Over the course of his IPL career, Munaf played in 63 matches, taking 74 wickets. He had an average of 22 wickets per match and an economy rate of 7.51, which is a decent record for a bowler in the fast-paced IPL format.
Munaf Patel’s career, though interrupted by injuries, remains memorable for his contributions to Indian cricket and his performances in both international cricket and the IPL.
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FAQs
Q.1. Who is Munaf Patel?
Ans. Munaf is a former Indian cricketer who played for India between 2006 and 2011 and was part of the 2011 World Cup-winning team.
Q.2. What is Munaf Patel’s role with Delhi Capitals?
Ans. Munaf has been appointed as the new bowling coach for Delhi Capitals for the IPL 2025 season.
Q.3. Which IPL teams did Munaf Patel play for?
Ans. Munaf played for Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, and Gujarat Lions during his IPL career.
Q.4. When did Munaf Patel retire from professional cricket?
Ans. Munaf retired from competitive cricket in 2018.
Q.5. What is Munaf Patel’s IPL career record?
Ans. Munaf played 63 IPL matches, taking 74 wickets at an average of 22 and an economy rate of 7.51.
