Former England batsman Ian Bell has been named as the assistant coach of Delhi Capitals for the 2026 IPL season, the franchise announced here on Tuesday. The 43-year-old arrives following a competitive IPL 2025 where Delhi narrowly missed out on reaching the playoffs after finishing fifth in the standings, one point outside qualification.
Bell will join a quality coaching staff which is headed by head coach Hemang Badani and mentor Kevin Pietersen. The support staff also comprises director of cricket Venugopal Rao and bowling coach Munaf Patel, providing an experienced management as the franchise aims to make a big return in IPL-2026. The Delhi Capitals have been a competitive outfit over the past few editions but faltered at key moments, something they will want to rectify with a new set of minds in the dugout.
Bell has international pedigree at his disposal. He played 118 Tests, 161 ODIs and eight T20I matches for England in his career. His test cricket was especially prolific as he accumulated 7,727 Test runs with 22 centuries and 46 fifties. With an elegant technique and unflappable temperament, Bell was a lynchpin of England’s batting for much of one of the side’s most successful periods.
He is a former England captain who has gradually increased his coaching profile since stepping away from the professional game. He has worked with England’s age-group and developmental sides, specializing in nurturing young talent.. In 2024, he was batting coach of the Sri Lanka Test team on their tour of England and has spent a brief stint with New Zealand’s men’s side before the 2023 ODI World Cup. And, Bell has guided franchise cricket behind Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred as an assistant coach.”
His appointment reflects Delhi Capitals’ intention to add international flavour to their backroom staff as they gear up for an important IPL 2026 season.
