Vaas, Sri Lanka’s most successful fast bowler with 355 wickets in Tests and 400 in ODIs, played for Deccan Chargers in the first three seasons of IPL from 2008 to 2010. The 52-year-old Vaas’ coaching experience has largely come on the international circuit, primarily with the Sri Lanka men’s side across three separate stints – 2012-15, 2016-2017, briefly in 2021 – he resigned two days into his tenure over a pay dispute – and 2022. He began his coaching career as a consultant for the New Zealand men’s team, and in 2016 had a stint with Ireland during the 2016 World T20.

Beyond senior assignments, Vaas has also spent years working with Sri Lanka Cricket as a fast-bowling consultant and academy mentor, identifying and grooming young fast bowlers. In terms of franchise experience, Vaas coached NYS Lagos in the 2024 Zim Afro T10 League, and was head coach at Kandy Royals in LPL 2026.

Mishra, too, will be in a coaching role in the IPL for the first time, having played in the tournament for four teams – Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals), Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Luckow Super Giants. Mishra, 42, played his last IPL match in 2024 for LSG before retiring last September. In his first IPL match, in 2008, Mishra took a five-for including the first of his three hat-tricks, which is the most so far by any bowler in the tournament. Barring 2022, Mishra never missed playing in the IPL from 2008 to 2024. The legspinner, whose craft relied heavily on his slow, loopy leg breaks, is tenth on the IPL’s overall wicket-takers’ list with 174 from 162 matches at an economy rate of 7.37.

Vaas and Mishra are understood to have already started in their roles and are currently in Delhi working with DC’s academy players. The franchise is yet to announce the coaching appointments including those of Ganguly and Yuvraj. The change in coaching staff was necessitated by an arrangement reached between DC’s co-owners – GMR Sports India Pvt Ltd and Jindal South West (JSW) Sports – post IPL 2024. According to the agreement, each owner will control franchise operations in alternating two-year cycles. GMR appointed former India batter Venugopal Rao as director of cricket and former India batter Hemang Badani as head coach and Munaf Patel as bowling coach for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

With inputs from Madushka Balasuriya