Who was the fastest Indian bowler ever? While many names come up, one bowler who consistently made batters sweat with his raw pace was Varun Aaron. This right-arm speedster from Jharkhand carved out a unique place in Indian cricket history, not just with his thunderbolt deliveries but also with his journey from a small town to international fame.
Biography
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Varun Raymond Aaron |
| Born | 29 October 1989 |
| Age | 35 years |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Birthplace | Singhbhum district, Bihar (now Jharkhand) |
| Nickname | Roon |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast |
| Role | Bowler |
| Jersey Number | 77 |
Early Life and Education
Born in what was then Bihar’s Singhbhum district (now part of Jharkhand), Varun Aaron’s cricket journey began at Loyola School, Jamshedpur. His educational path took an interesting turn as he moved to Bangalore for higher studies at Jain College. Not content with just cricket, Aaron also pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management at CT University, showing his practical approach to life beyond the cricket field.
Fastest Ball and Bowling Speed
When cricket fans discuss Varun Aaron’s fastest ball, one delivery stands out like a lightning bolt. During the 2010-11 Vijay Hazare Trophy final against Gujarat, Aaron unleashed a thunderbolt that clocked 153 km/h (95.3 mph) – making him one of the fastest bowlers India has ever produced.
But Aaron wasn’t just about that one express delivery. He consistently bowled around 145 km/h, which is genuinely quick by any standard. This sustained pace made him a nightmare for batsmen, especially in domestic cricket.
International Debuts and Career
Varun Aaron’s international debut came during an exciting period for Indian cricket. He made his Test debut on 22 November 2011 against the West Indies, earning the honor of being India’s 273rd Test player. Just a month earlier, on 23 October 2011, he had made his ODI debut against England, becoming India’s 192nd ODI player.
Aaron’s international career, though brief, was memorable. He played 9 Tests and 9 ODIs between 2011 and 2015, with his last Test appearance coming on 14 November 2015 against South Africa. His ODI jersey number 77 became synonymous with raw pace in Indian cricket.
Domestic Career and Teams
Aaron’s domestic journey began in 2008/09 with Jharkhand, where he honed his skills before making it big. His domestic career spanned multiple teams and formats:
State Teams:
- Jharkhand (2008/09-2021/22, 2023/24)
- Baroda (2022/23)
IPL Journey:
Aaron’s IPL career was a rollercoaster ride across multiple franchises:
- Delhi Daredevils (2011-2012)
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (2014-2016)
- Kings XI Punjab (2017)
- Rajasthan Royals (2019-2020)
- Gujarat Titans (2022)
County Cricket:
- Durham (2014)
- Leicestershire (2018)
IPL Salary Breakdown
Aaron’s IPL earnings tell an interesting story of a player’s market value over time:
| Year | Team | Salary (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹ 0.08 |
| 2011 | Delhi Daredevils | ₹ 0.20 |
| 2012 | Delhi Daredevils | ₹ 0.20 |
| 2013 | Delhi Daredevils (Injured) | NA |
| 2014 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | ₹ 2.00 |
| 2015 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | ₹ 2.00 |
| 2016 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | ₹ 2.00 |
| 2017 | Punjab Kings | ₹ 2.80 |
| 2019 | Rajasthan Royals | ₹ 2.40 |
| 2020 | Rajasthan Royals (Retained) | ₹ 2.40 |
| 2022 | Gujarat Titans | ₹ 0.50 |
| Total | ₹ 14.58 Crore |
His peak earning years were with Punjab Kings in 2017, where he commanded ₹ 2.80 crore – testament to his reputation as a genuine wicket-taking fast bowler.
Career Stats
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 9 | 18 | 3/97 | 52.61 | 4.77 |
| ODIs | 9 | 11 | 3/24 | 38.09 | 6.61 |
| First-Class | 66 | 173 | 6/32 | 33.27 | 3.47 |
| List A | 88 | 141 | 6/33 | 26.47 | 5.44 |
| T20s | 95 | 93 | 3/16 | 29.36 | 8.53 |
These numbers reveal Aaron’s true strength – domestic cricket. His first-class average of 33.27 with 173 wickets shows he was consistently effective at the domestic level.
Official Retirement from Cricket
After a remarkable journey spanning two decades, Varun Aaron officially announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on 10th January 2025. The announcement came through a heartfelt Instagram post that resonated with cricket fans across the country.
In his emotional retirement message, Aaron wrote: “For the past 20 years, I have lived, breathed, and thrived on the rush of bowling fast. Today, with immense gratitude, I officially announce my retirement from representative cricket.”
Aaron’s decision to hang up his boots came after years of serving cricket at various levels – from domestic cricket with Jharkhand to international matches for India, and everything in between.
Life After Playing Career
Cricket fans will be excited to know that Aaron’s journey with the sport didn’t end with his retirement. In a significant development, Varun Aaron was named SRH bowling coach for IPL 2026 on 14th July 2025 – just six months after his retirement. This appointment marks his seamless transition from player to mentor, where his experience with pace bowling will be invaluable.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Varun Aaron’s height and age?
Varun Aaron is 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) tall and is currently 35 years old, born on 29 October 1989.
2. What was Varun Aaron’s fastest ball speed?
His fastest recorded delivery was 153 km/h (95.3 mph) during the 2010-11 Vijay Hazare Trophy final against Gujarat.
3. What is Varun Aaron’s educational background?
He studied at Loyola School, Jamshedpur, then Jain College, Bangalore, and completed a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management at CT University.
4. When did Varun Aaron make his international debuts?
He made his Test debut on 22 November 2011 against West Indies and ODI debut on 23 October 2011 against England.
5. What was Varun Aaron’s jersey number?
His ODI jersey number was 77, which he also used in several IPL teams.
6. What are Varun Aaron’s bowling statistics?
In Tests: 18 wickets in 9 matches (average 52.61). In ODIs: 11 wickets in 9 matches (average 38.09).
7. When did Varun Aaron retire from cricket?
He officially retired from all forms of cricket on 10th January 2025, announcing it through an Instagram post where he wrote about his 20-year journey in cricket.
8. What was Varun Aaron’s total IPL salary?
He earned approximately ₹14.58 crore throughout his IPL career from 2010-2022.
9. Which IPL teams did Varun Aaron play for?
He played for Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals, and Gujarat Titans.
10. What is Varun Aaron doing now?
He was appointed as SRH bowling coach for IPL 2026 on 14th July 2025.
11. What is Varun Aaron’s nickname?
He is nicknamed “Roon.”
12. Where was Varun Aaron born?
He was born in Singhbhum district, Bihar (now Jharkhand), India.
13. What is Varun Aaron’s bowling style?
He is a right-arm fast bowler known for his consistent pace of around 145 km/h.
14. Did Varun Aaron play county cricket?
Yes, he played for Durham in 2014 and Leicestershire in 2018.
15. What was Varun Aaron’s best bowling figures?
His best figures were 6/32 in first-class cricket and 3/24 in ODIs.