Kevin Pietersen Joins Delhi Capitals as Mentor for IPL 2025

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has been appointed as the mentor of Delhi Capitals (DC) for IPL 2025. The 44-year-old joins a revamped coaching setup, which includes Hemang Badani as head coach, Matthew Mott as assistant coach, Munaf Patel as bowling coach, and Venugopal Rao as director of cricket.

The announcement was made via the franchise's official app, but DC has yet to confirm their captain for the upcoming season.

First Coaching Role in IPL for Pietersen

This marks Pietersen’s first coaching stint in the IPL. The former cricketer, who last played in the tournament in 2016, expressed excitement about his new role.

"It's an exciting opportunity to step into this new role as a mentor for the Capitals," Pietersen said in a DC press release. "I'm looking forward to working closely with the boys and doing everything I can to help us win the ultimate prize."

Pietersen played five IPL seasons for three different franchises from 2009, including Delhi (then known as Delhi Daredevils). He also captained Delhi in the 2014 season, though the team finished last with just two wins in 14 matches.

Strong Ties with the DC Franchise

Pietersen has maintained a close relationship with Kiran Kumar Grandhi, chairman of GMR—the co-owners of Delhi Capitals. In September 2024, he helped broker a landmark deal between GMR and Hampshire County Cricket Club. His association with DC extends beyond playing, as he has been a passionate supporter of the team even as a broadcaster.

"I have incredible memories of representing the Delhi franchise, and it's great to reconnect with Venugopal Rao and the rest of the team as we begin a new chapter," he added.

Delhi Capitals’ New-Look Squad for IPL 2025

Delhi Capitals finished sixth in IPL 2024 and entered the mega auction with the largest budget after releasing several high-profile players. They retained Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and Abishek Porel while making big purchases, including KL Rahul, Harry Brook, Faf du Plessis, and Mitchell Starc.

The franchise’s Indian coaching trio—Badani, Rao, and Munaf—recently led Dubai Capitals to their maiden ILT20 title, marking the first championship win for any Capitals team in men's or women's tournaments.

With a strong backroom staff and high-profile additions, DC aims for a turnaround in IPL 2025 under the mentorship of Kevin Pietersen.