Yuvraj Singh has been officially announced as Delhi Capitals' assistant and batting coach ahead of IPL 2027. This marks his first formal coaching role, bringing together two significant figures from Indian cricket's golden era. Yuvraj returns to the Delhi franchise with a renewed purpose, joining hands with Sourav Ganguly, who serves as Head Coach of Delhi Capitals. The two share a long-standing relationship dating back to the early years of Yuvraj's international career.
When Ganguly approached Yuvraj with the offer to join the coaching staff, the former India batsman responded with characteristic wit. Yuvraj delivered a memorable one-liner that captured the essence of their enduring bond and working relationship.
"Dada told me, ‘Would you be my assistant?’ And I was like, ‘I’ve been your assistant for the last 25 years, so I’ll probably be doing the same job!’ I was very happy to do it. I’ve been building myself up over the last three to four years for this opportunity. I have worked with players individually, but being part of the entire team environment will be a different experience, and I’m really excited about it," Yuvraj was quoted as saying by India Today.
What Yuvraj learnt from Ganguly's captaincy
Yuvraj's comment reflected the deep connection and mutual respect between the two cricketers. The 25-year reference underscored how long Yuvraj had been influenced by Ganguly's leadership and guidance since his international debut under the former captain's stewardship. Yuvraj has consistently credited Ganguly with shaping his understanding of the game and his approach to international cricket.
"The best thing I learnt from Dada was how to create a good team environment. When he was captain and I made my debut, he kept us together. He made us believe that we could become a great team and win tournaments outside India. He has always been like a big brother to me, whether it was helping me understand selection, mentoring me or showing me what it takes to become a good international cricketer. I’m looking forward to working with him, understanding his insights and sharing mine," Yuvraj said.
Delhi Capitals' championship ambitions under new coaching
Delhi Capitals have undergone significant squad changes ahead of IPL 2027. The franchise brought in Rishabh Pant through a trade from Lucknow Super Giants and acquired Zeeshan Ansari from Sunrisers Hyderabad. The team also made strategic releases, parting ways with Kuldeep Yadav and T Natarajan. These moves reflect the franchise's ambition to build a competitive unit capable of challenging for the title.
"We definitely have the ability, and that’s why Dada and I are coming in — to bring that belief back. Our first target is to qualify, but we are here to win the championship, and I don’t see why we can’t do that. Just because it hasn’t happened in the past doesn’t mean it can’t happen in the future. We want to build a squad and an energy that is ready to fight, take on any opposition and perform in any situation," Yuvraj said.
