RCB veteran ditches team; picks IPL rivals to help
Published - 14 Jul 2025, 01:55 PM | Updated - 14 Jul 2025, 01:56 PM
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Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Iqbal Abdulla has joined the rival franchise Delhi Capitals (DC) in a key capacity ahead of the IPL 2026. During India’s U-19 World Cup triumph in 2008 under Virat Kohli’s captaincy, the former RCB star finished as the team’s joint-highest wicket-taker with 10 wickets, alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Siddarth Kaul in Malaysia.
Now, the former RCB all-rounder is embracing a new challenge after a decade-long playing career in the IPL. The 35-year-old played 49 matches and took 40 wickets in the IPL. During his IPL career, the former left-arm spinner represented Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Rajasthan Royals between 2008 and 2017.
Iqbal Abdulla joins Delhi Capitals as talent scout ahead of the IPL 2026
The former India U-19 World Cup winner retired from Indian cricket in 2023 but never left the game completely. The former RCB spinner remained active in Legends League Cricket and continued to participate in local Mumbai tournaments to stay connected to the game.
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Now, Iqbal Abdulla has been officially appointed as a talent scout for the Delhi Capitals ahead of the upcoming IPL 2026. The former Mumbai cricketer revealed that Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani and their chief talent scout, Vijay Bharadwaj, personally reached out to him and offered the opportunity to become a crucial part of the franchise’s long-term vision.
Iqbal Abdulla was quoted as saying by Mid-Day: “Just before the last IPL, Vijay Bharadwaj sir asked me if I would like to join. Hemang Bhai and Venugopal Rao (Director of Cricket) were also present. I’m currently playing in the Legends League Cricket and also some other competitive matches in Mumbai. The DC support staff must have seen me and felt that I’m young and have also played in the IPL, so I can do well by being a talent scout for the franchise.”
Former Mumbai left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla has joined @DelhiCapitals as talent scout! pic.twitter.com/FS6rtGoQ87
— Gaurav Gupta (@toi_gauravG) July 14, 2025
Players should have the courage to play IPL: Iqbal Abdulla
Meanwhile, Abdulla believes that any young player dreaming of the IPL contract must have three key qualities: courage, fighting spirit, and good game sense.
He is now helping scout future stars for Delhi Capitals and suggested the IPL aspirants stay confident even when facing big stars like the RCB icon Virat Kohli and focus on performing for their team without fear or pressure.
The former RCB star added, “Jigra hona chahiye [the players should have courage]. In IPL, you are often up against big names, but you should not be overawed by your opponent’s reputation. For example, if someone like Virat Kohli is up against you, you should not feel scared or be under pressure. You must display your fighting spirit and perform for your team as per the situation.”
Virat Kohli can face pace and spin in equal measure: Ex-RCB star
Abdulla believes that the IPL is no place for the weak-hearted, saying players must trust their skills, stay mentally strong, and bounce back after failures. He noted that the IPL is a place where there's no room for sympathy; only performance matters.
He also pointed out how things are tougher for the bowlers than the batters in the IPL, especially with small boundaries. Abdulla signed off by saying, “So, for bowlers, variation is the key to success. For example, players like Rohit [Sharma] or Virat can face pace and spin in equal measure. So, you have to vary things.”
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