Sunrisers Hyderabad, the IPL 2025 runners-up, had a forgettable season this year. Despite being led by Pat Cummins, the team managed to win just 6 out of their 14 matches.
As expected, changes have begun within the franchise setup. The most recent move saw former India fast bowler Varun Aaron take over as the new bowling coach, replacing James Franklin.
Old Comment by Varun Aaron Goes Viral
Shortly after his appointment, an old remark by Varun Aaron resurfaced and went viral across social media platforms.
The statement dates back to the IPL 2025 season when Aaron was serving as a cricket expert for ESPN Cricinfo. During a discussion, he had boldly predicted that Mohammed Shami could be released by the SRH franchise.
Aaron had said: “I’d say Mohammad Shami [would be released], because he is obviously towards the back end of his career, struggling with his fitness and maybe Ishan Kishan, they got him at a big price, send them back into auction and try to get them for cheaper prices.”
Shami’s Disappointing IPL 2025 Campaign
At that time, Varun Aaron was not part of the SRH think tank and was offering his personal opinion.
Mohammed Shami, despite a brilliant performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy where he took 9 wickets, failed to replicate the form in IPL. SRH had acquired him for ₹10 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, but his returns were underwhelming — just 6 wickets in 9 matches.
Ishan Kishan’s Numbers Didn’t Match the Hype
Similarly, Ishan Kishan, who was bought for ₹11.25 crore, failed to deliver consistent performances. He scored 354 runs in 14 matches, which included a century and a half-century. However, considering his price tag, the overall output was not seen as satisfactory by many.
With Aaron now in a decision-making role, fans are speculating whether his earlier predictions might influence SRH’s strategy for IPL 2026.
