Former India captain Sourav Ganguly was on Thursday appointed Director of Cricket for JSW Sports, his role covering all its cricketing properties including the Delhi team in the IPL and the WPL along with the Pretoria Capitals franchise in SA20.
JSW Sports and GMR Group co-own Delhi Capitals in the IPL and WPL (Women's Premier League) while Pretoria Capitals is owned solely by JSW Sports.
'The God of the off-side is now our Director of Cricket at JSW Sports. Here’s welcoming the icon, Sourav Ganguly in his new role with our family. We can’t wait for all that lies ahead with him by our side. #JSWSports #SouravGanguly #BetterEveryDay,' JSW Sports tweeted.
"In his role, Ganguly will spearhead all cricketing properties owned by JSW Sports, including the Delhi Capitals men's IPL and women's WPL teams, and the Pretoria Capitals that plays in the SA20 League in South Africa," said JSW Sports in a statement.
Ganguly joined Delhi Capitals in 2019 as an advisor, where he worked alongside coach Ricky Ponting, and later returned to the franchise as Director of Cricket after his stint as BCCI president.
Ganguly's appointment came soon after it was decided that the management of cricket operations for Delhi Capitals' teams in the IPL and the WPL will be handled in a two-year rotation policy between GMR Group and JSW Group.
The GMR Group will handle the operations of the Delhi Capitals in the IPL for the next two years, while JSW Sports will handle the franchise's team in the WPL.
Former India batter Hemang Badani is expected to be named head coach ahead of IPL 2025.
Speaking on the appointment, JSW Sports founder Parth Jindal said, "Dada has always had a special place at JSW Sports. For us, he is family first and then the cricketing icon that he is.
"I've said this in the past and it stands true even today – he is one of the sharpest brains in cricket and we will always stand to benefit from his guidance and wisdom of the sport."
Ganguly added, "I've had the pleasure of knowing the JSW Group and the Jindal family personally and professionally which made this an easy decision.
"JSW Sports has been doing visionary work across the board, and I am pleased to be able to lend my experience to all its cricketing projects."
Delhi Capitals' IPL and WPL teams'' cricket operations to be managed in rotation between owners
The management of cricket operations for Delhi Capitals' men's and women's teams in the IPL and the WPL will be handled in a two-year rotation policy between their owners GMR Group and JSW Group.
The GMR Group will handle the operations of the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League for the next two years, while JSW Sports will handle the franchise's team in the Women's Premier League.
The roles will switch when JSW Sports will take over the management of men's team in 2027.
The announcement was made in a release shared by the owners on Thursday.
“The strategic move aims at optimising operational efficiency across teams within the ownership umbrella of the Delhi Capitals franchise,” the release said.
“The business operations of the franchise, however, will continue to be run by the Delhi Capitals' management team.
"Key decisions like auctions, captaincy, player release and retentions of both teams will be made by the Delhi Capitals' board, and will be decided mutually by senior leadership of both groups.”
While GMR Group is one of the founder franchise of the IPL with the team formerly named Delhi Daredevils, they entered a 50-50 partnership with JSW Sports in 2018 after which the team was rebranded as Delhi Capitals.
“In addition to the Indian Men's and Women's IPL teams, the Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 League will continue to be run by GMR Group and the Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 South African league will be run by JSW Sports,” the release said.
