Chaminda Vaas unveiled as Delhi Capitals' fast-bowling coach

Delhi Capitals (DC) have taken another decisive step in restructuring their support staff ahead of the IPL 2027 season, naming legendary Sri Lankan pacer Chaminda Vaas as their fast-bowling coach. The appointment adds further star power to a revamped backroom team. It closely follows the high-profile announcements of former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly taking over as head coach and Yuvraj Singh stepping in as assistant and batting coach. Furthermore, former IPL legend Amit Mishra is set to complete the coaching setup as the spin-bowling mentor. A Hands-Off, Empowering Coaching Philosophy Speaking in an official video released by the Delhi Capitals, Vaas outlined an approach centered on encouraging bowler independence and tactical clarity. "I give a lot of freedom for the bowlers," Vaas shared. "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." Vaas and Mishra have already begun laying the groundwork for their new roles, having spent time in Delhi working directly with the franchise's academy players. Wealth of Global Coaching Experience While IPL 2027 will mark Vaas' debut as an IPL coach, he brings a deep, decades-long coaching background across international and franchise cricket. International Stints: Started as a consultant for New Zealand before serving multiple tenures with the Sri Lanka men's national team (2012–15, 2016–17, 2021, and 2022). He also worked with Ireland during the 2016 T20 World Cup. Domestic & League Roles: Long-time fast-bowling consultant and academy mentor for Sri Lanka Cricket; head coach for Kandy Royals in LPL 2026; and coach for NYS Lagos in the 2024 Zim Afro T10 League. IPL Playing Background: Featured as a frontline bowler for the now-defunct Deccan Chargers across the first three seasons of the IPL. Strategic Roster Changes & Franchise Ownership Shift The overhaul of the coaching staff follows a disappointing sixth-place finish in IPL 2026, which signaled the end of the tenure for the previous coaching group comprising Venugopal Rao (Team Director), Hemang Badani (Head Coach), Munaf Patel (Bowling Coach), and Ian Bell (Assistant Coach). The complete backroom overhaul aligns with the operational arrangement between DC's co-owners, GMR Sports India Pvt Ltd and Jindal South West (JSW) Sports, where each entity controls franchise operations in alternating two-year cycles. Parallel to the coaching changes, DC's squad dynamic has undergone significant trade activity: T Natarajan was traded to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in exchange for leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari. Kuldeep Yadav was traded to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in a blockbuster deal that brought former skipper Rishabh Pant back to Delhi. With a refurbished squad structure and a star-studded coaching panel featuring Ganguly, Yuvraj, Vaas, and Mishra, Delhi Capitals are signaling an aggressive reset as they chase their elusive maiden IPL trophy in 2027.