Lucknow Super Giants have secured former India bowling coach Bharat Arun on a two-year deal for IPL 2026, marking a significant upgrade to their coaching setup as they look to solve persistent bowling injuries and inconsistencies.
The IPL coaching carousel is spinning at full speed, and LSG has just pulled off one of the most significant acquisitions of the off-season. By securing Bharat Arun’s services, the Sanjiv Goenka-owned franchise isn’t just filling a vacancy—they’re making a statement about their championship ambitions.
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The Arun Factor: Championship Pedigree Arrives
Bharat Arun brings more than just credentials to LSG; he brings recent success. As KKR’s bowling coach since 2022, he was instrumental in their 2024 IPL championship triumph. His transition from the Purple and Gold to the Blue and Orange represents a seismic shift in the IPL coaching landscape.
The move becomes even more intriguing when you consider that Arun was initially linked with a move to Chennai Super Kings before LSG swooped in to secure his signature.
LSG’s Coaching Revolution Details
| Position | Outgoing | Incoming | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Coach | Zaheer Khan (unlikely to continue) | Bharat Arun | 2-year deal |
| Head Coach | Justin Langer (uncertain future) | TBA | Under review |
| Spin Consultant | Current setup | Carl Crowe | Expected soon |
| Overall Strategy | Complete overhaul | Championship-focused | 2026 onwards |
The Injury Crisis That Demanded Action
LSG’s decision to bring in Arun makes perfect sense when viewed against their 2025 bowling struggles. The franchise faced a nightmare scenario with key pacers sidelined throughout the season:
- Mayank Yadav: Missed entire 2025 season
- Mohsin Khan: Complete season writeoff
- Akash Deep: Extended injury layoff
- Avesh Khan: Intermittent availability
This injury epidemic forced LSG to rely on emergency signings like Shardul Thakur, highlighting the desperate need for expert bowling management and injury prevention strategies.
Why Arun Chose LSG Over CSK
The coaching market saw intense speculation about Arun’s destination, with CSK initially rumored as frontrunners to replace Eric Simmons. However, LSG’s ambitious project and the opportunity to build a bowling unit from scratch likely proved irresistible.
Arun’s expertise in fast bowling development and injury management aligns perfectly with LSG’s current needs, making this partnership potentially transformative.
The Carl Crowe Connection
LSG’s coaching revolution extends beyond pace bowling. The expected appointment of Carl Crowe as spin consultant adds another layer of expertise. Crowe’s previous work with KKR stars Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine demonstrates his ability to unlock spin bowling potential.
This dual appointment suggests LSG is serious about creating a comprehensive bowling ecosystem that addresses both pace and spin requirements.
What This Means for LSG’s Future
Arun’s appointment signals LSG’s intent to transition from plucky underdogs to consistent championship contenders. His track record of developing bowling attacks and managing workloads could be exactly what LSG needs to maximize their retained players’ potential while integrating new acquisitions.
The IPL coaching strategies that made KKR champions in 2024 will now benefit LSG, potentially creating one of the league’s most formidable bowling units.
The Broader IPL Coaching Shuffle
Arun’s move is part of a larger coaching exodus from KKR, following their decision to part ways with championship-winning head coach Chandrakant Pandit. This mass departure creates opportunities across the league while showcasing the fluid nature of IPL coaching relationships.
As LSG builds towards IPL 2026, the Arun appointment represents more than just filling a vacancy—it’s a declaration of serious championship intent. With bowling being cricket’s most specialized skill, securing one of India’s most respected bowling coaches could prove to be the difference between playoff qualification and trophy contention.
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