Pat Cummins in awe of Ishan Kishan’s captaincy

The IPL is all set to begin in the coming weeks, with the inaugural match scheduled between defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Just before the start of the season, Hyderabad’s team management surprised everyone by giving captaincy to India’s young star batter Ishan Kishan for the 18th edition in the absence of 2023 World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins.

However, this decision was not made recklessly. The management considered Kishan’s current form and his promising comeback in international cricket after being selected as the replacement for India’s white-ball captain Shubman Gill due to injury. Kishan not only finished the T20 World Cup as the fourth-highest run-scorer but also climbed to No. 2 in the ICC T20I batter rankings following the tournament, scoring 317 runs from nine matches at an average of 35.22 with a stellar strike rate of 193.

Pat Cummins Talks About Ishan Kishan’s Captaincy Skills

The mighty Australian captain will miss the first half of the IPL season due to a lower-spine injury sustained during the last Ashes series, ruling him out for the first 5–6 games of the 18th edition for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Although he has arrived in India to join the team and undergo rehab, the franchise is taking a cautious approach to ensure he is 100% fit for the later stages of the tournament.

Speaking about Kishan, Cummins said on the Business of Sport podcast:

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"Ishan had a really successful captaincy stint with his local side last year. There are a lot of local guys coming into the team whom I didn’t know before the season, and Ishan, being the captain, will be able to communicate effectively and efficiently without any language barrier."

Ishan Kishan as a Captain

Ishan Kishan had already proven his leadership skills in domestic cricket. He played a key role in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 517 runs at an average of 57.44, including a 51-ball hundred in the final, helping Jharkhand secure their first-ever tournament title. His performances established him as a prolific captain-batter capable of leading from the front.

How Will Ishan Will Handle His New Role?

After Kishan’s remarkable T20 World Cup campaign, fans are already aware of his batting ability and his composure under pressure in big matches. His new role as SRH captain will not only enhance his maturity but also deepen his understanding of the game. Kishan is often described as a natural leader who leads from the front, backs his bowlers’ plans, gives players the freedom to express themselves, and communicates with clarity.

With several young players in the side, it will be interesting to see how he utilizes everyone’s skills in the absence of Pat Cummins and guides Sunrisers Hyderabad to victories in the early part of the season.

Kishan was brought to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2024 from Mumbai Indians (MI), and he made an immediate impact in his debut season with the franchise. In the last season, he played some match-winning innings, including his first century for SRH, finishing the campaign with 354 runs across 14 matches. His consistent performances with the bat, combined with his natural leadership abilities, earned him the confidence of the team management.

For IPL 2026, SRH will rely heavily on Kishan’s leadership to guide a squad that blends young emerging talents with experienced campaigners. With the absence of Pat Cummins in the first half of the season due to injury, Kishan’s role as captain becomes even more crucial. He will be expected to not only lead from the front with the bat but also to strategically marshal his bowlers, manage young players, and maintain team morale.

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