Bharat Arun Named Lucknow Super Giants' New Bowling Coach

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have secured the services of Bharat Arun as their new bowling coach for the upcoming seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Arun, a former Indian pacer, is highly regarded for his role in shaping India's bowling attack during his tenure as their bowling coach. He transitions to LSG after a successful period with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), which included a championship win in 2024. His association with KKR spanned four years, beginning in the 2022 season.

During his four-year tenure, KKR won the title in 2024 © BCCI

While neither KKR, LSG, nor Arun have officially commented, Cricbuzz can confirm that the 62-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Sanjiv Goenka-owned franchise. This role will involve Arun working with LSG players throughout the year, providing consistent guidance and support.

Implications for LSG Coaching Staff

The arrival of Arun suggests changes within the LSG coaching setup. It's likely that Zaheer Khan, who served as a mentor for the Rishabh Pant-led side last season, will not be retained. Reports indicate that Zaheer's one-year contract is under review by the management, and a renewal seems unlikely. The position of head coach Justin Langer, who has been with the team for a couple of seasons, is also under scrutiny.

KKR's Coaching Restructuring

Arun's move follows KKR's recent parting of ways with head coach Chandrakant Pandit. This leaves two significant vacancies within the KKR coaching staff. The franchise is expected to undertake a thorough selection process to identify and recruit new coaches.

KKR prides itself on developing coaching talent, with many former staff members, including Gautam Gambhir, Ryan ten Doeschate, Abhishek Nayar, Brandon McCullum, Trevor Bayliss, and physio Kamlesh Jain, progressing to prominent roles with national teams, particularly India and England.

Amicable Departure from KKR

The separation between Bharat Arun and KKR appears to be amicable. With Dwayne Bravo already overseeing bowling strategies as a mentor, the consensus was that too many voices could be detrimental to the team's best interests. Moreover, KKR maintains a policy of supporting the professional advancement of its staff. This principle was reportedly communicated to Arun when he requested a release from his contract.