Dale Steyn, the former South African fast bowler, has officially announced his departure as the bowling coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of the IPL 2025 season.
This decision marks a significant change for the franchise as they look to build on their recent successes.
In a post on social media platform X, Steyn expressed gratitude for his time with SRH, stating, “A big thank you to Sunrisers Hyderabad for my few years with them as bowling coach at the IPL; unfortunately, I won’t be returning for IPL 2025.”
He confirmed that he will continue his coaching role with Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20 league, where he has been actively involved.
During his tenure at SRH, which began in 2022, Steyn played a crucial role in the development of young bowlers, particularly Umran Malik, who emerged as a standout performer under his guidance. His expertise and experience have been invaluable to the franchise.
Before stepping into coaching, Steyn had a successful playing career in the IPL, representing teams like Deccan Chargers, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Gujarat Lions. He last played in the IPL during the 2020 season before transitioning to a coaching role.
Under Steyn’s coaching and alongside head coach Daniel Vettori, SRH reached the IPL 2024 final, marking their first appearance in an IPL final since 2018. This success has set high expectations for the upcoming season.
With Steyn’s exit, SRH may consider retaining their successful coaching duo of Vettori and former New Zealand cricketer James Franklin, who was brought in earlier this year when Steyn made himself unavailable for IPL 2024 due to personal reasons.
As SRH prepares for the IPL 2025 mega auction scheduled for November 30 in Dubai, they will need to reassess their coaching strategy and player retention plans. The franchise is reportedly focusing on retaining key players like Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins, and Abhishek Sharma while exploring new talent.
