Sunrisers Hyderabad part ways with head coach Brian Lara, announce Daniel Vettori as replacement

Brain Lara and Daniel Vettori. (Photo Source: Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto via Getty Images and Ashley Allen/Getty Images)

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has parted ways with legendary West Indies cricketer Brian Lara as head coach of the side on Monday, August 7. Notably, Lara joined the franchise as the batting coach and strategic advisor ahead of the 2022 season and later replaced Tom Moody as the head coach ahead of the IPL 2023.

SRH didn’t have a good couple of seasons in the last two editions as they finished on the eighth spot in 2022 with six wins from 14 matches. Furthermore, with Lara as the Head Coach in 2023, they finished on the bottom of the points table with just four wins from 14 matches. 

SRH took to their social media handle to announce the news of Lara’s departure and wrote, “As our 2 year association with Brian Lara comes to an end, we bid adieu to him 🧡 Thank you for the contributions to the Sunrisers. We wish you all the best for your future endeavours 🙌.”

As our 2 year association with Brian Lara comes to an end, we bid adieu to him 🧡

Thank you for the contributions to the Sunrisers. We wish you all the best for your future endeavours 🙌 pic.twitter.com/nEp95pNznT

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) August 7, 2023

Meanwhile, the franchise has also announced legendary New Zealand cricketer Daniel Vettori as Lara’s replacement. Vettori has vast experience in coaching having held the head coach role for Royal Challengers Bangalore from 2014-2018. He’s also serving as the assistant coach of the Australian Cricket Team since May 2022. 

🚨Announcement🚨

Kiwi legend Daniel Vettori joins the #OrangeArmy as Head Coach🧡

Welcome, coach! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2wXd8B1T86

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) August 7, 2023

SRH have failed to qualify for playoffs since 2021

Things haven’t been going well for SRH since IPL 2021 when they finished on the last spot on the points table for the first time since their debut in 2013. Fans were particularly unhappy with the treatment of their captain David Warner who was benched after the first eight games. 

Notably, Warner led them to their first IPL title in 2016 and also finished as the highest run scorer in the seasons 2015, 2017 and 2019. The Australian opener also led them to the playoffs in the seasons 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020.

Under the leadership of Aiden Markram and Vettori, the franchise would hope for a turnaround in the upcoming season and will look to be a top contender for the coveted trophy.