Is Bharat Arun the Right Choice as Bowling Coach for Lucknow Super Giants?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Bharat Arun joins LSG as bowling coach for IPL 2026.
- He aims to develop young Indian fast bowlers.
- Previous experience includes coaching the Indian national team.
- Arun was part of KKR’s successful 2024 IPL campaign.
- LSG seeks to improve after a disappointing IPL 2025 season.
New Delhi, July 30 (NationPress) Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun has been named as the new bowling coach for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as they gear up for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL).
Reports from IANS earlier indicated that Arun was set to join the LSG setup after completing a successful four-year tenure with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
In a statement released by the franchise, Arun expressed, “Joining the Lucknow Super Giants is a tremendous honor. This franchise embodies professionalism, ambition, and vision at every level. My discussions with Dr. Sanjiv Goenka and the management were truly inspiring — there’s a strong commitment to nurturing young Indian talent and establishing a lasting legacy.”
Arun had previously joined KKR before the 2022 season and was part of the team that triumphed in the 2024 IPL. He has held two terms as the bowling coach for the Indian national team — from 2014 to 2015 and again from 2017 to 2021, where he significantly contributed to the fast-bowling revolution in the men's team.
Now, he integrates into the LSG coaching staff, which includes mentor Zaheer Khan, head coach Justin Langer, and assistant coach Lance Klusener. “What excites me most is the vision for long-term development. LSG has invested in a young, talented, and dynamic group of Indian fast bowlers — Akashdeep, Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, Prince Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and Akash Singh — and I see immense potential in each of them.”
“My mission is to help mold them into a cohesive, fearless, and tactically sharp pace unit that can compete against the world's best batting line-ups,” added Arun, who has played two Tests and four ODIs for India.
Arun was part of the Indian team that clinched the Men’s Under-19 World Cup in Australia in 2012 and has also coached teams like Tamil Nadu, Bengal, and Hyderabad in domestic cricket. Additionally, he served as the bowling coach for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL from 2015 to 2017. LSG struggled in the IPL 2025 season under the leadership of Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, finishing in seventh place.