Former Indian pacer Varun Aaron has been officially named as the new bowling coach for Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League season. The franchise announced the appointment on July 14, confirming their intention to bring fresh energy and a renewed pace philosophy to their setup following an underwhelming IPL 2025 campaign.
Varun Aaron, known for his express pace and aggression on the field during his playing days, steps into a significant role that will involve nurturing young fast bowlers, strategizing with senior players, and contributing to a bowling unit that has struggled with consistency over the past few seasons. He replaces James Franklin, who had taken over after Dale Steyn but failed to turn the team’s fortunes around.
Aaron’s appointment marks a new phase in his cricketing journey, which has included both highs and setbacks. He burst onto the scene in domestic cricket as one of India’s fastest bowlers, consistently clocking speeds over 145 km/h. His raw pace earned him a spot in the Indian national team in 2011, and though injuries limited his international appearances, he featured in nine Tests and nine ODIs for India.
In the IPL, Aaron represented multiple franchises including Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kings XI Punjab, and Rajasthan Royals. Across 52 IPL matches, he claimed 44 wickets, often bowling the difficult overs and providing crucial breakthroughs. Despite battling fitness concerns throughout his career, he remained a respected and hardworking member of every team he played for.
After officially retiring from representative cricket in early 2025, Aaron transitioned into punditry and coaching. He served as a commentator during India’s Test series against England and also worked with young fast bowlers at the MRF Pace Foundation. His experience as a player and mentor made him an attractive option for Sunrisers Hyderabad, a team in need of clarity and direction in their pace attack.
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 2025 season was marred by inconsistent bowling performances. While the team showed firepower with the bat—setting some of the season’s highest scores—the bowling unit often faltered under pressure. The inability to defend totals and lack of penetration in the powerplay overs were significant reasons behind their early exit from the playoff race.
With Aaron joining forces with head coach Daniel Vettori and captain Pat Cummins, SRH hopes to revitalize its fast-bowling culture. The team already has a promising crop of young pacers, and Aaron’s guidance could prove instrumental in honing their skills and managing their fitness across a long tournament.
The franchise is also looking to build long-term stability in its coaching staff. Aaron brings not only technical knowledge but also the firsthand experience of handling pressure in high-intensity T20 matches. His insights into bowling at the death, recovering from injuries, and adapting to different conditions are expected to be crucial in shaping SRH’s bowling plans for IPL 2026.
In what is shaping up to be a critical season for the franchise, Varun Aaron’s appointment is both a nod to his cricketing intellect and a signal of SRH’s intent to reestablish themselves as serious title contenders.