Former India leg-spinner Amit Mishra has been appointed as the spin-bowling coach of Delhi Capitals ahead of the 2027 IPL season, the franchise confirmed on Wednesday, 21 October 2026. The 43-year-old, who retired from all forms of cricket in September 2025, returns to the team with which he began his IPL journey — now stepping into a coaching role for the first time in the league.

A Homecoming with a New Brief

Mishra's association with Delhi in the IPL dates back to the inaugural 2008 season, when he turned out for the franchise then known as the Delhi Daredevils. His appointment as spin-bowling coach completes a full circle, and he made no attempt to hide his emotion. 'Dilli dilwallon ki hai (Delhi is of the people with a large heart). When the first season of IPL was held, I was a part of DC. Today, when I am starting my coaching career, it's also with the DC team, and so, I am very happy,' Mishra said in a video posted on the franchise's official social media handles.

He added: 'A tiger is the one who never leaves his prey. Dilli is my heartbeat. We will try to give the happiness to the Dilli fans, which they have been waiting for these many years.'

A Playing Career Built on Hat-Tricks and Wickets

Mishra's IPL playing record is among the most decorated in the tournament's history. He picked up a five-wicket haul in his very first IPL match in 2008 — a spell that also contained the first of his record three hat-tricks in the competition. He took subsequent hat-tricks in 2011 and 2013, making him the only bowler in IPL history to achieve the feat three times.

Known for his flighted, slow leg-breaks, Mishra featured in every IPL season from 2008 to 2024 — barring 2022 — representing Delhi Capitals, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Lucknow Super Giants. He played his final IPL match for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in 2024, finishing with 174 wickets from 162 matches at an economy rate of 7.37. At the international level, he represented India between 2003 and 2017, playing 22 Tests, 36 ODIs, and 10 T20Is.

The Broader Support Staff Overhaul

Mishra joins a revamped Delhi Capitals backroom that includes fast bowling coach Chaminda Vaas and assistant-cum-batting coach Yuvraj Singh, all of whom were reportedly present at the franchise's short camp-cum-trials at a ground in Aerocity in September. The three are headlined by former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who has taken charge as the new head coach — a star-studded setup that signals serious intent from the ownership.

The restructuring of the support staff follows an arrangement between DC's co-owners, GMR Sports India Pvt Ltd and JSW Sports, reached after IPL 2024, under which each partner runs the franchise's cricket operations in alternate two-year cycles.

Trade Window Activity and Title Ambitions

Delhi Capitals, who finished sixth in the 2026 IPL season, are yet to win a title in the tournament's history. In the ongoing trade window, the franchise has been active: they sent left-arm pacer T Natarajan to Sunrisers Hyderabad and acquired leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari. Earlier, they traded wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav to Lucknow Super Giants and brought back wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant in return — a blockbuster swap that underlines the franchise's determination to end their title drought.

With Mishra's record-breaking spin expertise now channelled into a coaching role, Delhi Capitals will be hoping he can shape a bowling unit capable of finally delivering what their fanbase has long waited for.