Abhishek Sharma replaces Pat Cummins as Sunrisers Hyderabad captain

Indian left-handed batting star Abhishek Sharma has been appointed as the new captain of the Sunrisers Hyderabad for the first few matches in the upcoming IPL season. As of now, not for the entire season, but for the first few games, the Indian youngster will be seen in a titular role.

Abhishek Sharma made a very promising start to the 2026 season, as he scored consecutive half-centuries in the series against New Zealand; however, he failed to continue his impact in his debut ICC T20 World Cup.

Abhishek Sharma was a major flop for India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, as he was bowled out for three consecutive ducks in the T20 World Cup group stage, that too against minor sides like the Netherlands and the USA. He finished with 141 runs in the competition across eight games with two half-centuries. However, he contributed in the final of the competition, when it mattered the most for India.

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Abhishek Sharma has been appointed SRH's new captain in IPL 2026

The left-handed batter went on to be a special find for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2024, where he, alongside Australian opener Travis Head, almost formed a monstrous opening pair that muscled the Sunrisers to a rapid and solid start on several occasions.

That season got him into the Indian team, where he has been a destructive hitter, often taking down the toughest of opposition with his swashbuckling hitting ability. Despite a poor World Cup run, he is about to enter a new chapter of his career with the Sunrisers.

In skipper Pat Cummins' unavailability, Abhishek Sharma will lead the Sunrisers Hyderabad side in the first few games of the competition. This is an exciting new offer for the young lad from Punjab, who could be a prospect for one such role in India in the near future.

Pat Cummins availability will be a huge concern for SRH in IPL 2026

The Sunrisers Hyderabad picked some newer players in the mini-auction, likely keeping in mind the skipper Pat Cummins' recent struggles with fitness that have kept him out of major white-ball action for Australia as well. Since July 2025, Cummins's only appearance came in an Ashes Test where Australia successfully defended their title against England.

He was then again sidelined from the game due to a back injury. Cummins was ruled out of cricket for nearly 4 months before making a comeback; however, his stay was not longer than 4 days, as he missed out on the crucial T20 World Cup campaign for his side as well.

They picked Australian all-rounder Jack Edwards and English bowling all-rounder Brydon Carse as the two players who could act as Cummins' replacement. However, Edwards himself has been sidelined following the BBL final in 2026.

Travis Head and Ishan Kishan ignored for captaincy by SRH management

The SRH management and head coach Daniel Vettori picked Abhishek Sharma to be the captain of the SRH team. However, the SRH side had more experienced players in Ishan Kishan, Travis Head and the former South African T20 veteran Heinrich Klaasen.

In Pat Cummins' absence, Head could have been the captain; however, Aussies lost a T20 World Cup game to Zimbabwe under his captaincy, and that might have acted as his biggest demerit. However, Kishan has been in some stunning form and also led the Jharkhand to a SMAT title in the last edition as the captain of the State side.

Despite all this, Abhishek Sharma, the blue-eyed boy of Indian cricket, has been facilitated to lead SRH in Pat Cummins' absence.

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