Former SRH Bowling Coach Set to Join KKR Ahead of IPL 2026: Reports
Former South African pacer Dale Steyn is set to join the three-time champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. As per reports, he would take up the responsibilities of the bowling coach in the KKR camp after Bharat Arun’s departure.
Dale Steyn Set to Take Over KKR Bowling Coach Bharat Arun’s Role
Previously, Steyn has also served as the bowling coach of the IPL 2016 champions, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), in 2022 and 2023. But during his tenure, the team failed to put up a strong show and finished the seasons in eighth place and at the bottom of the points table, respectively.
On the other hand, Arun has recently joined the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) after a four-year stint with the KKR, which also includes their title-winning campaign in the IPL 2024. Earlier, he also served the national cricket team in this role in two stints, which includes 2014-15 and July 2017 to 2021.
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Notably, the Knights, who entered the latest season as the reigning champions, have endured a tough outing in the IPL 2025. They managed only five wins in 12 league-stage matches and finished the edition in eighth place. Following this disastrous season, KKR have also parted ways with their head coach Chandrakant Pandit and are yet to announce who will replace him in their camp for the upcoming IPL season.
KKR Would Look to Make A Strong Comeback in IPL 2026
Not retaining their title-winning captain, Shreyas Iyer, played a pivotal part in the team’s IPL 2025 debacle. They also missed the star England opener Phil Salt, who played a key role in the team’s winning campaign in 2024. Notably, both of these released players had a stunning season for their respective new franchises.
Shreyas scored 604 runs in 17 matches at a fierce strike rate of 175.07 and also became just the second captain to take the Punjab Kings (PBKS) through to the IPL Final. Salt also stitched some smashing opening partnerships with the former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Virat Kohli.
His 403 runs in 13 fixtures at a blistering strike rate of 175.98 played a crucial role in the team’s maiden trophy-winning run. However, the KKR management would look to build up a strong squad in the IPL 2026 auction, in a bid to register a stunning comeback in the upcoming season.
