The Delhi Capitals franchise is undergoing a major shift in leadership, with a significant change in roles for former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly. The franchise’s co-owners, the GMR and JSW Groups, announced these changes in a joint statement on Thursday, October 17. As part of the restructuring, Ganguly, who previously served as the director of cricket for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), will now focus his efforts on the Pretoria Capitals in SA20 and the Delhi Capitals team in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
New Role for Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly’s new role is a strategic move that aligns him with JSW Sports’ future goals. Although Ganguly will still be involved with the Delhi Capitals franchise, his responsibilities will shift away from the men’s IPL team. Over the next two years, he will focus on leading the cricketing operations for the Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 league and the Delhi Capitals WPL team.
This change is part of an operational agreement between the GMR and JSW Groups, which will see the GMR Group take control of the Delhi Capitals men’s team for the next two IPL seasons. During this period, Ganguly’s association with the men’s team will be more limited, although he will continue to play a role in key decisions like player retention and the auction.
Ganguly’s Limited Role in the IPL Auction
Despite his reduced involvement in the men’s team, Ganguly will still participate in the upcoming IPL auction. Alongside JSW Sports head Parth Jindal, Ganguly is expected to attend the auction and provide input. However, his direct influence over player selection and retention may be limited, as the GMR Group will handle most of the operational decisions for the men’s team.
According to the joint statement, the Delhi Capitals’ board will jointly make all major decisions for the men’s and women’s teams—including auctions, player releases, and captaincy—with input from both ownership groups. This ensures that Ganguly remains a part of the broader decision-making process, even if his focus shifts toward other cricketing operations.
The Future of Rishabh Pant
One key question on everyone’s mind is Rishabh Pant’s future with the Delhi Capitals. The franchise is currently awaiting a decision from Pant, who is on national duty with India during their Test series against New Zealand. The GMR Group is reportedly holding off on any discussions about Pant’s role or captaincy until he can confirm whether he wants to continue with the team.
There is optimism within the franchise that Pant will remain part of the Delhi Capitals, but the final decision rests with the player himself. Whether he retains the captaincy or not will depend on his response and the team’s long-term plans.
Operational Restructuring: GMR and JSW Group
The restructuring of the Delhi Capitals franchise is part of a two-year rotational agreement between the GMR and JSW Groups. As per the new arrangement, the GMR Group will manage the men’s IPL team for the next two years, while JSW Sports will oversee the operations of the women’s team. In 2027, the roles will switch, with JSW Sports taking control of the men’s team.
This rotational strategy aims to optimize the operational efficiency of both teams under the Delhi Capitals umbrella. The existing Delhi Capitals team will continue to manage the franchise’s overall business operations, ensuring continuity in the franchise’s day-to-day functioning,
Changes in Delhi Capitals Leadership Structure,
| Role | Previous Structure | New Structure (2023-2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Sourav Ganguly | Director of Cricket (IPL) | Director of Cricket (WPL, SA20) |
| GMR Group’s Involvement | Co-owner | Managing cricket operations (IPL) |
| JSW Sports’ Involvement | Co-owner | Managing cricket operations (WPL) |
| Rishabh Pant | Captain of Delhi Capitals (IPL) | Decision pending (awaiting response) |
| Auction Decisions | Joint decisions by both groups | Joint decisions, Ganguly in limited capacity |
As the Delhi Capitals undergo this significant leadership transition, the focus will be on how these changes impact both the men’s and women’s teams. Sourav Ganguly’s shift to a role with the Women’s Premier League and SA20 highlights the growing importance of these leagues and JSW Sports’ broader ambitions in cricket. With the GMR Group taking over the men’s team, it remains to be seen how these changes will affect Delhi Capitals’ IPL performance in the upcoming seasons.
The next few weeks will be crucial for the franchise as they prepare for the IPL auction and await key decisions from players like Rishabh Pant. As Delhi Capitals look toward the future, their success will depend on the seamless collaboration between the two ownership groups and their ability to manage both teams effectively.
