The Indian Premier League has grown into the biggest franchise T20 competition since it began in 2008, and for players and coaches around the world, getting a foothold in its setup has long been a major draw. English former batter Ian Bell, now 44, has finally ticked that box—though not on the field. After ending his playing career following the 2020 domestic season, Bell will take up an assistant coaching role with Delhi Capitals for the 2026 campaign.
Bell’s appointment reflects a long-running desire to experience the IPL environment firsthand. “When I retired, the IPL was certainly the top league I wanted to be part of,” Bell said. While the move is a transition from his playing days to a coaching pathway, it still places him at the heart of the competition that has captivated cricket fans worldwide.
That this selection would happen is hardly surprising. Although Bell was widely recognised during his playing career as a dependable red-ball batter with a refined technique—along with more than 13,000 international runs—he has also built a credible coaching résumé with meaningful T20 exposure. His background includes coaching work in New Zealand and Sri Lanka, time with England Lions, and roles with multiple prominent T20 franchises across different cricketing markets.
Bell’s entry into the IPL coaching ecosystem has come through a strong working relationship linked to the GMR Group, the co-owners of Delhi Capitals. Over time, he has been a regular presence in the coaching environment of GMR-linked teams such as Dubai Capitals and Seattle Orcas. Along the way, he has developed close connections with Delhi Capitals’ Director of Cricket Venugopal Rao and Head Coach Hemang Badani, eventually paving the way for his IPL ambition to become reality.
Discussing his experience so far, Bell described it as far more intense than many outsiders can imagine. “It’s been a rollercoaster. Until you’re here in India during IPL season, you probably don’t fully get it. Everywhere you go, it’s the main topic. You can understand why players and coaches want to be here,” he said.
Bell also shared reflections on how he has been processing Delhi Capitals’ season, which has been marked by significant swings in momentum. In a short span, the Axar Patel-led group went from a standout high—posting 264—to a tough low, recording the lowest power-play total. “That’s the skill, isn’t it? You want to stay as level as possible. There’s a lot of emotion around, but as a coaching staff, whether you’re in the dugout or reviewing, it can’t be emotional. Everything needs to be crystal clear. We’ve had some incredible games,” Bell added.
Known for his elegant cover drives during his playing career, Bell also spoke about the appeal of working with another modern stylist—KL Rahul—who has caught the eye for Delhi Capitals this season. Rahul has scored 445 runs so far and has emerged among the leading contenders for the Orange Cap.
One of the biggest developments in Rahul’s season has been a noticeable shift in approach. He has moved from a more reserved “anchor” template to a more attacking role at the top of the order. That evolution has come with the demands of T20 cricket changing rapidly, and Rahul has adapted accordingly, keeping his strike rate above 180.
Bell, clearly a fan of Rahul, praised the way the batter has balanced aggression with clean shot selection. Rather than simply going for brute-force hitting to keep the scoreboard moving, Bell pointed out that Rahul has used the powerplay intelligently—matching the pace of the league and the team’s requirements—while still playing in his natural, stylish manner.
He highlighted Rahul’s ability to score quickly without losing the quality of his cricket. “What KL has managed this season—especially that 152 not out against Punjab Kings—was to bat at a high strike rate, while still playing his way. He’s still picking proper cricket shots and not abandoning his strengths. For someone who has played so much and done so well in the IPL, and who keeps adapting and searching to get better, he’s a great example for the rest of our squad,” Bell said.
Bell further underlined that Rahul’s evolution is rooted in intelligence rather than only intent. “People might call it an anchor role, but that’s not really the right word. I like intelligent players, and for me KL fits that category,” he added.
Although Bell represented England in 279 matches across Tests and ODIs, his T20I appearances were limited to just 8. With those restricted opportunities, he never got a chance to play in the IPL as a player, despite his earlier ambitions to do so. Still, he insists he holds no regrets about the overall career he had.
“I don’t have any regrets about missing anything out in my career, but I would have loved to be part of a team. If I could have spent two months of my life with Sachin Tendulkar or Rahul Dravid back in the day, that would have been absolute gold,” Bell concluded.
