Sunrisers Hyderabad appoint Varun Aaron as new bowling coach ahead of IPL 2026

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have begun the revamp of the side after a disappointing IPL 2025 season. The former New Zealand bowler James Franklin was the first one to lose his job with the Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of the next edition of the IPL.

On Monday, July 14, the SRH welcomed the former Indian pacer Varun Aaron to their coaching staff ahead of the IPL 2026. James Franklin was shown the door as Varun Aaron joined the Orange Army as their new bowling coach for the next season.

Varun Aaron replaces James Franklin as Sunrisers Hyderabad's bowling coach ahead of IPL 2026

Aaron, who was known for his raw pace and aggression during his playing days, will now guide the SRH bowlers. The franchise welcomed the former Indian pacer by calling him a “fiery addition” to their setup. With his experience in domestic and international cricket, the SRH hopes Varun will bring fresh energy and sharp strategies to the team’s bowling unit in the IPL 2026.

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Announcing the signing of Aaron as James Franklin’s replacement, the Sunrisers Hyderabad posted on X: “A fiery addition to our coaching staff! Welcome Varun Aaron as our new bowling coach 🔥🧡 #PlayWithFire”

A fiery addition to our coaching staff! Welcome Varun Aaron as our new bowling coach 🔥🧡#PlayWithFire pic.twitter.com/qeg1bWntC5

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) July 14, 2025

Varun Aaron's India and domestic career in numbers

Meanwhile, Varun Aaron has represented India in 9 Test and 9 ODI matches and scalped 18 and 11 wickets, respectively. However, the Jharkhand-born cricketer has had an impressive career in domestic cricket. The former pacer has 173 wickets and 837 runs in 66 first-class games to his name.

Additionally, Varun scalped 141 wickets and scored 326 runs in 88 List-A games. He also has decent numbers in T20 cricket, taking 93 wickets in 95 matches and scoring 133 runs. Aaron's career has been marred with frequent injuries, and he called time on his career earlier this year.

Two stress fractures of the back, a back injury, and a leg injury had a severe impact on the former Indian pacer’s career. The fast bowler recently became popular as a cricket expert, sharing useful thoughts on TV during the last IPL season and even during India’s international matches.

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Varun Aaron's IPL career and Sunrisers Hyderabad's 2025 season

Speaking about his IPL career, Aaron had a long and eventful IPL career that spanned over 11 years. He played 52 matches in the tournament and picked up 44 wickets at a strike rate of 22.59. He represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings, and Rajasthan Royals in the world’s biggest T20 extravaganza.

Sunrisers Hyderabad had an up-and-down IPL 2025 season. They started the season with a bang, scoring the second-highest total in IPL history. But a mid-season slump, including four straight losses, hurt their playoff chances. Key batters like Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma lost form, while others like Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan failed to deliver consistently.

The bowlers also struggled, with the SRH captain Pat Cummins admitting to lapses. Mohammed Shami, Simarjeet Singh, and Adam Zampa struggled with the ball this season. Thanks to their late fightback, the Hyderabad team finished sixth on the IPL 2025 points table.