Former India and RCB pacer, working as Commentator in IND vs ENG Series, becomes new SRH bowling coach for IPL 2026

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Sunrisers Hyderabad have appointed Varun Aaron as their new bowling coach ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, marking a significant addition to the franchise's coaching staff.

Aaron, a former India pacer renowned for his raw pace, will take over from New Zealand's James Franklin, who held the role for the past two seasons.

The announcement was made by SRH on their official X (formerly Twitter) handle, describing Aaron as a "fiery addition" to the coaching setup. The 35-year-old steps into the role shortly after announcing his retirement from all forms of professional cricket earlier this year, following Jharkhand's exit from the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Varun Aaron's Playing and Coaching Journey

Aaron represented India in nine Tests and nine ODIs between 2011 and 2015, earning a reputation for consistently bowling above 150 kmph. His IPL career spanned nine seasons, during which he played 52 matches, claimed 44 wickets, and represented franchises including Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings, and Rajasthan Royals. His last IPL appearance was with Gujarat Titans in 2022, where he was part of the title-winning squad.

After retiring, Aaron briefly worked as a coach at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai and served as a TV pundit before joining SRH. He is known for his intricate analysis and is currently working as a commentator in the India vs England Test series.

SRH's Recent Performance and the Road Ahead

SRH endured a challenging IPL 2025, finishing sixth on the points table. Their campaign was hampered by inconsistent performances, injuries to key bowlers, and an underperforming batting lineup. With Aaron's appointment, the franchise aims to revitalize its bowling unit and return to playoff contention in the 2026 season.

The Sunrisers team has some top-notch bowlers. In terms of Indian bowlers, they have Mohammed Shami, Harshal Patel, Simarjeet Singh, Jaydev Unadkat, while also having overseas pacers such as Pat Cummins and Brydon Carse. SRH also have decent spinners in Rahul Chahar, Adam Zampa and Kamindu Mendis.