Delhi Capitals have added a new member to their coaching staff ahead of IPL 2026. The franchise has appointed former Ireland all-rounder John Mooney as the team’s new fielding coach.
The decision comes as teams prepare for the new IPL season. Delhi Capitals will begin their campaign on April 1 when they face Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
John Mooney Joins Delhi Capitals Coaching Staff
John Mooney replaces Gnaneswara Rao and Anton Roux, who previously worked with the team until the 2025 season.
Delhi Capitals welcomed Mooney to the coaching group through a social media announcement. The team hopes his experience and focus on fielding will help improve their overall performance.
Mooney will work with an experienced support staff that already includes several well-known cricket figures.
Delhi Capitals Coaching Staff – IPL 2026
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Hemang Badani |
| Team Director | Venugopal Rao |
| Assistant Coach | Ian Bell |
| Bowling Coach | Munaf Patel |
| Fielding Coach | John Mooney |
Mooney’s appointment also makes him only the third Irish cricketer to be involved in the IPL. Earlier, players Eoin Morgan and Josh Little represented Ireland in the tournament.
Mooney’s Focus on Improving Fielding
John Mooney has said that one of his main goals is to improve Delhi Capitals’ catching and fielding standards.
He noted that the team’s catching percentage has dropped in recent seasons. His role will focus on improving fielding basics and helping players perform better in high-pressure moments.
According to Mooney, simple things like correct body position, balance and footwork play a big role in taking catches successfully. He believes strong fielding can make a big difference in tight matches and often helps teams win tournaments.
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How John Mooney Got the Opportunity
Mooney previously played under Hemang Badani in a Masters tournament in Dubai. Badani is now the head coach of Delhi Capitals.
Their earlier connection helped Mooney get the opportunity to join the IPL franchise.
He also mentioned that the IPL experience offers much more than just financial rewards. Working with top international players and coaches gives valuable exposure and learning opportunities.
Working With Top International Players
At Delhi Capitals, Mooney will work with several international stars in the squad.
Key Players in Delhi Capitals Squad
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| KL Rahul | Batter |
| Mitchell Starc | Fast Bowler |
| David Miller | Batter |
Mooney believes even experienced international players benefit from working on fielding fundamentals. His training sessions will focus on maintaining sharp reflexes and strong fielding habits.
John Mooney’s Coaching Experience
John Mooney already has experience working with international teams before joining Delhi Capitals.
He served as Afghanistan’s fielding coach from 2018 to 2019. During that time, Afghanistan played their historic first Test match in India.
Mooney also worked with the West Indies men’s team in 2019. Later, he joined the Ireland women’s team as a temporary coach in 2024 and 2025.
He also holds multiple coaching qualifications from the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Coaching Certifications
| Certification | Issued By |
|---|---|
| Level 3 Coaching Certificate | ECB |
| Level 2 Coaching Certificate | ECB |
| Level 1 Coaching Certificate | ECB |
These qualifications and international coaching experiences make him a valuable addition to the Delhi Capitals staff.
John Mooney’s International Cricket Career
Before becoming a coach, John Mooney represented Ireland as an all-rounder for several years.
He played international cricket between 2006 and 2015 and appeared in multiple major tournaments.
John Mooney International Career Stats
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Total International Matches | 91 |
| ODIs | 64 |
| T20Is | 27 |
| Runs | Over 1,100 |
| Wickets | Around 60 |
| ODI World Cups | 2007, 2011, 2015 |
| T20 World Cups | 2 tournaments |
One of the most memorable moments of his career came in the 2011 ODI World Cup. Mooney scored the winning runs when Ireland defeated England in Bengaluru in a famous upset.
Delhi Capitals hope John Mooney can quickly improve the team’s fielding standards during IPL 2026.
Good fielding often plays a key role in close matches, and the team believes his experience can help players become sharper on the field.
With the new season approaching, fans will be watching to see how Mooney’s coaching ideas translate into better fielding performances for Delhi Capitals.
