Delhi Capitals (DC) have appointed former Sri Lanka fast bowler Chaminda Vaas as their fast-bowling coach for IPL 2027, adding another experienced name to their revamped coaching staff.
The appointment, reported by ESPNcricinfo on September 14, follows Sourav Ganguly’s appointment as head coach and Yuvraj Singh’s inclusion as assistant and batting coach.
In a video released by the franchise on Saturday, Vaas spoke about his coaching philosophy and said he wanted to give bowlers the freedom to develop their own plans while guiding them with his experience.
“I give a lot of freedom for the bowlers,” Vaas said. “Being a fast bowler — I played so many years — I always believe that bowlers should come with their plans. If they don’t know, then I’m there to help them, give my experience, whatever… the field settings.
“But I always believe bowlers should know their strength; bowlers should know their field settings. If they know all about those things, you know, as a coach, we have to guide them to get to the next level.”
The appointment marks Vaas’ first coaching role in the IPL, although he brings considerable experience from international and franchise cricket.
He has served the Sri Lanka men’s team in several stints, including between 2012 and 2015, from 2016 to 2017, briefly in 2021 and again in 2022. His 2021 stint ended after two days following a dispute over remuneration.
Vaas began his coaching career as a consultant with the New Zealand men’s team and also worked with Ireland during the 2016 World T20. He has spent several years with Sri Lanka Cricket as a fast-bowling consultant and academy mentor. His franchise coaching experience includes NYS Lagos in the 2024 Zim Afro T10 League and Kandy Royals in the 2026 Lanka Premier League.
The former pacer is no stranger to the IPL, having represented the now-defunct Deccan Chargers during the tournament’s first three seasons.
Vaas and Amit Mishra, who is expected to join Delhi Capitals as spin-bowling coach, have reportedly already spent time in Delhi working with the franchise’s academy players.
Delhi Capitals Reshape Coaching Staff and Squad
Delhi Capitals have made several changes ahead of IPL 2027, both in their coaching setup and playing squad. The franchise recently traded left-arm fast bowler T Natarajan to Sunrisers Hyderabad, bringing legspinner Zeeshan Ansari to Delhi in the deal.
Earlier, DC traded Kuldeep Yadav to Lucknow Super Giants in exchange for Rishabh Pant.
The coaching changes follow a disappointing 2026 campaign, in which Delhi Capitals finished sixth and once again fell short of their first IPL title. The franchise was expected to overhaul the coaching group that had worked together over the previous two seasons, including team director Venugopal Rao, head coach Hemang Badani, bowling coach Munaf Patel and assistant coach Ian Bell.
The restructuring also reflects the
