Former India Test opener Aakash Chopra has reacted to Yuvraj Singh joining the Delhi Capitals (DC) coaching staff ahead of IPL 2027. He believes Yuvraj’s appointment gives the franchise an opportunity to discuss important decisions with the former India all-rounder.
On Tuesday, Delhi Capitals appointed Yuvraj as their assistant and batting coach for the upcoming season. The move marks his first formal coaching role in the Indian Premier League. Recently, DC had appointed Sourav Ganguly as the new head coach of the franchise.
Yuvraj has mentored several Indian cricketers in recent years, including Prabhsimran Singh, Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill.
Chopra highlighted that Yuvraj’s previous associations with franchises as a mentor and brand ambassador had no accountability but the DC players can benefit from the veteran by having meaningful conversations with him.
“Yuvraj Singh has now been appointed the assistant coach. He has been with teams earlier, as a brand ambassador or a mentor, but those were roles where there was no accountability. The latest we have seen of Yuvraj Singh is that he has worked with players. He has an excellent tuning with Rishabh Pant. He has done this job many times in an individual capacity,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“Now, Sourav Ganguly is the head coach and Yuvraj Singh is the assistant coach. They would expect that two left-handers will make things right. The responsibility of the team’s batting coach is very different. It’s the middle of the tournament. You can hardly improve anything. If KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ashutosh Sharma, or Tristan Stubbs need some help, you can actually have those conversations,” he added.
The renowned commentator reckons Delhi Capitals might need to appoint a new captain, with Axar Patel unlikely to continue as a leader.
“This is a huge assignment because it’s the first time for both Dada and Yuvraj Singh in the IPL. It’s a role for which there is an eventual evaluation. They have already made a move. They have brought in Rishabh (Pant) and left Kuldeep (Yadav). I am hearing that Axar is not going to be the captain. I have heard that Axar is not interested,” he said.
Chopra believes DC will need to pick one between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as their new captain.
“So, if he is not going to be the captain, who will become the captain? Will they go towards KL or Rishabh? If KL becomes the captain, who will wear the gloves? Will Rishabh wear it or will KL wear it? There are multiple questions that they need to address,” Chopra observed.
Both Rahul and Pant have IPL leadership experience under their belt, having led LSG in the past.
