Hyderabad: Former India fast bowler Varun Aaron has been appointed as the bowling coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for the upcoming IPL 2026 season, the franchise announced on Monday. He replaces James Franklin, the former New Zealand left-arm pacer.
The announcement was made on the team’s official X (formerly Twitter) account:
“A fiery addition to our coaching staff! Welcome Varun Aaron as our new bowling coach.”
Aaron’s Cricketing Journey
The 35-year-old Aaron played 9 Tests and 9 ODIs for India between 2011 and 2015, known for his raw pace that often exceeded 150 kmph. His express speed had once made him one of the most promising prospects in India’s fast bowling arsenal, alongside Umesh Yadav.
While Umesh went on to enjoy a longer Test career, Aaron’s rise was derailed by frequent injuries, cutting short what many expected to be a lengthy international career.
Retirement and Coaching Transition
Aaron’s last competitive appearance was for Jharkhand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Goa on January 5, 2025 in Jaipur. After Jharkhand failed to qualify for the knockout rounds, Aaron decided to retire from professional cricket.
Post-retirement, he transitioned into a career as a TV cricket pundit and also gained valuable coaching experience at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, where he worked alongside Australian great Glenn McGrath.
What’s Next for SRH
SRH will hope Aaron’s experience as a former international quick and his recent mentoring roles will help develop their pace battery for the 2026 season. With Aaron on board, the franchise looks to build on their fast-bowling legacy, which has previously seen the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, and Marco Jansen shine.