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Delhi Capitals Hire Ex-Ireland Star John Mooney as Fielding Coach for IPL 2026

Delhi Capitals have appointed former Ireland international John Mooney as their new fielding coach ahead of IPL 2026. Mooney brings extensive coaching experience, having previously worked with Afghanistan, the West Indies, and the Ireland women's team. The team's support staff includes head coach Hemang Badani and assistant coach Ian Bell, but they will be without mentor Kevin Pietersen this season. Led by captain Axar Patel, Delhi will aim to improve on their fifth-place finish from last year and finally secure their first IPL title.

Key Points: Delhi Capitals Name John Mooney Fielding Coach for IPL 2026

  • John Mooney joins DC as fielding coach
  • Replaces Gnaneswara Rao and Anton Roux
  • Has coached Afghanistan and West Indies
  • Kevin Pietersen withdraws as mentor
  • Axar Patel to continue as captain
2 min read

IPL 2026: Delhi Capitals appoint former Ireland all-rounder John Mooney as fielding coach

Delhi Capitals appoint former Ireland all-rounder John Mooney as fielding coach for IPL 2026. He joins a staff featuring Hemang Badani and Ian Bell.

"He had famously hit the winning runs in Ireland's historic win over England in the 2011 World Cup - Content"

New Delhi, March 19

Delhi Capitals have roped in former Ireland all-rounder John Mooney as their new fielding coach ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League 2026, which will commence on March 28.

He will join an experienced support staff of Delhi Capitals, which includes Hemang Badani as head coach, former Indian pacer Munaf Patel (bowling coach) and former England player Ian Bell (assistant coach). Venugopal Rao is the team's director in IPL 2026.

Mooney, who holds Level 3, 2, and 1 coaching certificates from the England Cricket Board, took over from Gnaneswara Rao and Anton Roux, who both departed following the conclusion of 2025 season.

The former Irish player had previously served as the Afghanistan fielding coach from 2018 to 2019, when they made their Test debut in India. He had also worked with the West Indies men's team in 2019 and has been a temporary coach for the Ireland women's team since January this year.

He has represented Ireland in 91 international matches, including three ICC Cricket World Cups (2007, 2011, and 2015) and two ICC Men's T20 World Cups.

A left-hand batter and right-arm quick during his playing days, 43-year-old Mooney played 64 ODIs and 27 T20Is for Ireland from 2006 to 2015. He had famously hit the winning runs in Ireland's historic win over England in the 2011 World Cup in Bengaluru.

Delhi suffered a significant blow ahead of the start of the season as their mentor, Kevin Pietersen, withdrew from the tournament.

India's T20 World Cup 2026 champion Axar Patel will continue to lead the side for another season. Team has experienced Indian players like KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav, along with Australia's premier bowler Mitchell Starc, who would give a tough fight to the opposition.

Delhi Capitals nearly missed a playoff berth in the last season. They finished in fifth position by registering seven wins in 14 matches. They have never won an IPL trophy, and the team will look to end their quest in the 19th season.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Shreya B
The support staff looks strong with Badani, Munaf Patel, and Ian Bell. But losing Kevin Pietersen as mentor is a big setback. Hope the new fielding coach can fill some of that void. DC needs to finally lift that trophy! #DelhiCapitals
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Aman W
With Axar Patel as captain, KL Rahul, Kuldeep, and Starc in the team, we have a fantastic core. The coaching appointments are good, but the real test is on the field. Last season's 5th place finish was heartbreaking. No more excuses this year!
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Priyanka N
Respectfully, I have to ask: with so many talented Indian fielding coaches available, was it necessary to bring in someone from Ireland? I'm sure Mr. Mooney is qualified, but we should also be developing our own coaching talent within the IPL ecosystem.
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Karthik V
His work with Afghanistan during their Test debut in India is a big plus. He understands subcontinent conditions. Fielding wins you close matches in T20. If he can save us 10-15 runs per game, that's huge. Welcome to Delhi, John!
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Emma D
As a cricket fan living in India, I love the global mix of the IPL. An Irish coach, English assistant, Indian head coach... it's a true world league. Mooney was a gritty player. Hope he brings that fighting spirit to the team. Good luck DC!

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