IPL 2026: SRH Name New Coach, Player-Turned-Commentator Takes Charge

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) had a forgettable run in IPL 2025, finishing at the bottom of the points table. Their poor performance throughout the season made it almost certain that major changes would follow.

Now, with Season 18 behind them, Kavya Maran's franchise has started restructuring. Amid the ongoing India vs England Test series, SRH has announced the appointment of their new bowling coach—a former cricketer who is currently active in the commentary box in England.

SRH Gets New Bowling Coach

After legendary pacer Dale Steyn exited the role, James Franklin was brought in as SRH’s fast-bowling coach. However, Franklin’s stint didn’t yield the desired results, leading to another change. Sunrisers Hyderabad have now appointed former Indian pacer Varun Aaron as their new bowling coach for IPL 2026.

Interestingly, Aaron is currently in England providing commentary for the India vs England Test series. The announcement from SRH came while he was on air during the Lord’s Test match.

Despite his commentary commitments, Aaron has impressed fans and analysts alike with his sharp cricketing insights and tactical understanding. In the upcoming IPL season, he will work closely with captain Pat Cummins to shape SRH’s bowling attack.

Varun Aaron’s IPL Career in Focus

Varun Aaron has had an eventful IPL journey, having represented six different franchises: Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, and Gujarat Titans.

On the international stage, Aaron has featured in 9 Test matches and 9 ODIs for Team India. In the IPL, he has played 52 matches, taking a total of 44 wickets. His final appearance in the league came in the 2022 season.

With Aaron stepping into the coaching role, Sunrisers Hyderabad hope to rebuild and come back stronger in IPL 2026. His experience, both domestic and international, could provide the edge SRH needs to bounce back into title contention.

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