Pat Cummins is close to making his return in IPL 2026, and this has created a big question for Sunrisers Hyderabad — who will lead the team in the next match?
Ishan Kishan has been captaining the side during Cummins’ absence, and the team has done well so far.
SRH Current Position
After 7 matches, Sunrisers Hyderabad are in a strong position.
| Matches | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 4 | 4th |
They are still in the playoff race and will next face Rajasthan Royals.
Pat Cummins Comeback Update
Cummins recently shared a video of himself bowling in the nets, showing that he is close to full fitness.
His message hinted that he could return in the next match against Rajasthan Royals.
However, there is still no official confirmation about his playing status or captaincy role.
Captaincy Decision: Kishan or Cummins?
This is the biggest question for SRH right now.
Ishan Kishan has led the team well and helped them stay in the top half of the table.
Some experts believe he should continue as captain to maintain team balance and confidence.
At the same time, Cummins is the regular captain, so the team management may bring him back into the role once he returns.
Also See : PSL 2026 Update: Mustafizur Rahman and Nahid Rana Ruled Out of Remaining Matches
Cummins Injury and Recovery
Pat Cummins was out due to a lumbar back injury.
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Injury Type | Lumbar back injury |
| Last Played | Test vs England |
| Missed Events | Champions Trophy 2025, T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Fitness Status | Cleared to play |
He had returned to Australia earlier for fitness checks and has now been cleared to play the rest of IPL 2026.
Upcoming Match: SRH vs Rajasthan Royals
SRH will play their next match at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur.
In their previous meeting, Rajasthan Royals defeated SRH in Hyderabad.
SRH will look to bounce back and continue their good form.
Young players like Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain impressed in the last match and could play a key role again.
Harbhajan Singh’s Opinion
Harbhajan Singh has shared his view on this situation.
He believes SRH should continue with Ishan Kishan as captain, even if Cummins returns.
According to him, the team has built good coordination under Kishan’s leadership, and changing captain at this stage may affect performance.
SRH have not yet announced their final decision on captaincy.
Fans will be watching closely to see:
- Whether Cummins plays the next match
- Who leads the team
- How SRH perform against Rajasthan Royals
The upcoming match will be important for both team momentum and leadership clarity.
