Sunrisers Hyderabad have received an important update ahead of IPL 2026. Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins is set to join the squad in Bengaluru, but he will not play in the opening matches of the season because of a back injury.
In his absence, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan will captain the team in the early phase of the tournament. Abhishek Sharma will act as vice-captain during this period.
Pat Cummins to Join Team but Will Miss Early Matches
Pat Cummins, who is the regular captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, has been recovering from a lumbar stress injury in his back. Because of this problem, he has not played competitive cricket since December 2025.
The injury also forced him to miss the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 earlier this year.
Cummins is expected to arrive in Bengaluru on March 24 and will join the SRH squad before their opening match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. However, he will not play in the first few matches while he continues his recovery.
Pat Cummins SRH Record
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches for SRH | 30 |
| Wickets | 34 |
| Bowling Average | 29.88 |
| Economy Rate | 9.18 |
| Best Bowling | 3/19 |
Cummins previously guided Sunrisers Hyderabad to the IPL 2024 final against Kolkata Knight Riders and remains a key figure in the team’s plans.
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Ishan Kishan to Captain SRH in Early Matches
With Cummins unavailable for the start of the season, Sunrisers Hyderabad have appointed Ishan Kishan as interim captain.
Abhishek Sharma will support him as vice-captain during this period.
Kishan has shown leadership ability in recent tournaments. He was part of India’s successful T20 World Cup 2026 campaign and also led Jharkhand to their first Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title in the 2025–26 domestic season.
His experience and aggressive style make him a strong option to guide the team during the early stage of IPL 2026.
SRH Leadership Setup
| Role | Player |
|---|---|
| Captain (Injury period) | Ishan Kishan |
| Vice-Captain | Abhishek Sharma |
| Regular Captain | Pat Cummins |
SRH Bowling Plans Without Cummins
Without Cummins in the playing XI, Sunrisers Hyderabad will adjust their bowling strategy for the opening games.
The team is likely to rely on other pace options and overseas players to lead the attack until Cummins is fully fit.
Eshan Malinga is expected to play as the main overseas fast bowler in the early matches. The team management will monitor Cummins’ recovery carefully before allowing him to return to competitive action.
Even though he will not play immediately, Cummins’ presence with the squad will help with planning and strategy.
Rehabilitation Plan for Cummins
After joining the squad in Bengaluru, Cummins will follow a specialized rehabilitation program under the supervision of the SRH medical staff.
The goal is to help him recover fully and avoid any risk of worsening the back injury.
While he continues his recovery, Cummins is expected to support the team by sharing tactical advice and helping with match planning from the dugout.
Ishan Kishan to Attend IPL Captains Meeting
As the interim captain, Ishan Kishan will also represent Sunrisers Hyderabad at the IPL captains’ meeting.
The meeting will take place in Mumbai on March 25.
The schedule includes an official promotional photo session with all ten IPL captains followed by a meeting with senior BCCI officials.
Captains Meeting Schedule
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| Promotional Photo Session | 12:00 PM |
| Captains Meeting with BCCI | 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM |
This meeting is important for discussing tournament guidelines and final preparations before IPL 2026 begins.
Sunrisers Hyderabad are taking a cautious approach with Pat Cummins’ injury to ensure he returns fully fit later in the season.
In the meantime, the team will rely on Ishan Kishan’s leadership and the bowling unit’s depth to start their campaign strongly.
The opening matches will be crucial for SRH as they try to build early momentum before Cummins returns to the playing XI.
