Chaminda Vaas Joins Delhi Capitals as Bowling Coach for IPL 2027

Delhi Capitals have added another big name to the coaching staff for IPL 2027. Sri Lanka pace legend Chaminda Vaas will join the franchise as fast bowling coach, the team announced on Saturday, October 17, 2026 through social media. The 52 year old left arm quick replaces Munaf Patel, who worked as bowling coach of the team for the past two seasons. Vaas will work under head coach Sourav Ganguly and alongside assistant and batting coach Yuvraj Singh, which gives Delhi one of the most star studded backroom teams in the league.

The Announcement

Delhi Capitals confirmed the news on Saturday with a post on X that read like a tribute to the great fast bowler. The franchise described Vaas as a World Cup winner and the best fast bowler from Sri Lanka, and welcomed him to Tiger Territory as coach. The post ended days of talk after Vaas was seen at the preparatory camp and trials of Delhi Capitals in New Delhi.

This will be the first IPL coaching job for Vaas. The former left arm pacer played in the league for Deccan Chargers between 2008 and 2010, where he took 18 wickets in 13 games. Now, 16 years after his last IPL game as a player, he returns to the tournament in a fresh role. The full story on Cricbuzz confirms that this is his maiden coaching stint in the IPL.

Who Is Chaminda Vaas

Chaminda Vaas stands as the most successful fast bowler in the history of Sri Lanka cricket. His international career ran from 1994 to 2009, and the numbers tell the story of a true great. He played 111 Tests and took 355 wickets. In ODIs, he played 322 matches and claimed 400 wickets, a landmark that places him among the finest bowlers in the history of the format. He was a key member of the Sri Lanka squad that lifted the 1996 World Cup.

Vaas was never the quickest bowler of his era, but he was among the smartest. His left arm angle, late swing and fine control troubled batters in all conditions, from the seaming tracks of England to the flat pitches of the subcontinent. He also added value with the bat, scoring 3089 runs in Tests and 2025 runs in ODIs, which made him a genuine all round cricketer.

Few fast bowlers have matched his longevity. For 15 years, Vaas led the Sri Lanka attack with skill and heart, and he remains a role model for young left arm pacers around the world.

Vaas Coaching Journey

Vaas moved into coaching soon after retirement and built a strong resume. He served as bowling coach of Sri Lanka in three separate stints, from 2012 to 2015, from 2016 to 2017, and again in 2022. Before that, he started his coaching career as a bowling consultant with New Zealand. In 2016, he worked as bowling coach of Ireland during the T20 World Cup in India.

His franchise coaching record is also growing. Vaas worked with NYS Lagos in the Zim Afro T10 in 2024 and served as head coach of Kandy Royals in the Lanka Premier League in 2026. These roles gave him good experience of T20 cricket and young fast bowlers, which will help him at Delhi Capitals.

Delhi Capitals New Coaching Setup

The arrival of Vaas completes a major reset of the Delhi Capitals backroom team. Sourav Ganguly took over as head coach after the franchise parted ways with Hemang Badani, who could not take the team to the playoffs. Earlier this week, Delhi named Yuvraj Singh as assistant and batting coach. With Vaas now in charge of the fast bowlers, the new core of the coaching team is set.

The reset follows a change in ownership control. Delhi Capitals are jointly owned by the GMR Group and the JSW Group, and the two year rotation has handed control to JSW. The new management decided on a fresh start after the team missed the playoffs in the last two seasons and finished sixth in IPL 2026. The franchise also parted ways with Venugopal Rao, the director of cricket.

Read more about the Delhi Capitals coaching changes and the Yuvraj Singh appointment on this site.

What Vaas Brings to Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals have struggled for consistency from the fast bowling unit in recent seasons, and Vaas looks like the right man to fix that problem. His greatest strength as a coach is his understanding of swing and seam. As a left arm bowler who thrived without express pace, he knows how to teach young quicks to move the ball, set up batters and stay calm under pressure.

Vaas also brings a calm and simple style of coaching. Players who worked with him in Sri Lanka often speak about his clear plans and honest feedback. For a Delhi squad that has young Indian pacers learning their trade, that kind of guidance can make a real difference across a long season.

There is also the Ganguly factor. Ganguly and Vaas faced each other many times as players, and both men know what it takes to win big matches. Along with Yuvraj Singh, who brings his own brand of fearless cricket, the Delhi dugout now has three men who have lived through World Cup finals and high pressure chases. That experience is hard to buy.

What This Means for IPL 2027

Delhi Capitals are still searching for a maiden IPL title. The franchise reached the final only once, in 2020, and has missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. The owners have made it clear that big changes were needed, and the coaching reset is the first step.

On the player front, the franchise has also been active. Delhi completed a trade deal with Lucknow Super Giants that brought Rishabh Pant back to the team, while Kuldeep Yadav moved out in a cash cum player swap. Read the full details in the Rishabh Pant Kuldeep Yadav trade story.

With the IPL 2027 mini auction set for Goa in December and the retention deadline on November 15, the new coaching team will have a big say in shaping the squad. If Ganguly, Yuvraj and Vaas can build a fearless and united group, Delhi fans may finally see the trophy come home.

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