IPL 2020: Delhi Capitals appoint Ryan Harris as their bowling coach

Delhi Capitals (DC) have roped in Ryan Harris as their bowling coach for the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). James Hopes, who was there in 2018 and 2019, won’t be able to travel with the team due to personal reasons. In the Capitals, the 40-year-old Harris would be working with head coach Ricky Ponting, his former Australian teammate.

Apart from Ponting, Harris would also have Mohammad Kaif, Samuel Badree and Vijay Dahiya in their coaching staff. Ahead of the tournament, scheduled to get underway on Saturday, September 19, Harris expressed his delight of working with the Capitals.

Ryan Harris excited

“I am delighted to be back in the IPL. This is a huge opportunity for me to contribute to the franchise’s ambitions of lifting the coveted IPL trophy. The Delhi Capitals side has an impressive bowling line up, and I can’t wait to start working with them all,” Harris was quoted as saying in the Capitals’ official website.

Harris has quite a bit of experience of playing in the cash-rich league. Back in 2009, he made his debut, representing the defunct Deccan Charger in their match against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Buffalo Park. In 37 IPL matches, the right-arm speedster picked up 45 wickets at a reasonable economy rate of 45 with best figures of four for 34.

He played his last IPL game against the Rajasthan Royals while playing for the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP). Overall, the retired pacer didn’t play a whole lot of T20s in his career. For the Aussies, Harris was pretty effective. In 27 Tests, 21 ODIs and three T20Is, the seamer ended with 113, 44 and four wickets respectively. His last competitive match was in June 2015.

As far as the Capitals, led by Shreyas Iyer, are concerned, they had a decent season last time around. They bowed out after their loss at the hands of CSK in the Qualifier 2. This time around, they have roped in players in the form of Ajinkya Rahane and Ravi Ashwin and would be hoping to turn their fortunes around. The Capitals are yet to get their hands on the IPL after 12 seasons.