Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will not get the services of bowling coach Dale Steyn in the IPL 2024 season as the South African pace legend has sought a break from his duties, Cricbuzz reported on Saturday (March 2).

According to the report, Steyn has already informed the franchise about his unavailability. The Sunrisers management has started the search for a new bowling coach and the announcement will be made soon.

Steyn, who has previously represented both Deccan Chargers (now defunct) and Sunrisers Hyderabad, is likely to return in the 2025 edition, pending all necessary arrangements and requirements.

Meanwhile, the report also claimed that Australian skipper Pat Cummins is expected to replace Aiden Markram as the captain of the SRH franchise for the upcoming IPL season.

Cummins was signed by SRH for a hefty sum of INR 20.50 Crore during the auction last December, making him one of the costliest purchases in IPL history.

Cummins captained Australia to the World Test Championship (WTC) title and the Cricket World Cup triumph last year. As a result, his stocks as a leader have grown by leaps and bounds in recent times.

The fast bowler also works with SRH head coach Daniel Vettori who is the assistant coach of the Australia men's national cricket team.

Under Markram's leadership, Sunrisers Hyderabad finished the last edition at the bottom of the points table with just four wins in 14 games.

While Markram guided Sunrisers Eastern Cape to a second successive SA20 title last month, Cummins’ recent success as an international captain might push the franchise to take a bold decision.

The IPL 2024 season is slated to get underway on March 22 with the CSK versus RCB clash at Chepauk. SRH will open their campaign against KKR at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on March 23.

(Cricbuzz inputs)