Pat Cummins joins SRH ahead of IPL 2026, but Ishan Kishan remains captain
Published - 24 Mar 2026, 10:40 AM | Updated - 24 Mar 2026, 10:41 AM
The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) camp received a boost ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, which is scheduled to begin on March 28. SRH skipper Pat Cummins is reportedly set to join the squad ahead of their season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Cummins is unavailable for the initial few games of the upcoming marquee tournament. The 32-year-old Australian fast bowler is recovering from a lingering lumbar stress back injury. He has been out of competitive cricket since December 2025, missing the recent ICC T20 World Cup 2026 due to the injury.
Pat Cummins Set to Arrive in Bengaluru Ahead of SRH’s IPL 2026 Opener vs RCB
According to a report by Cricbuzz, Pat Cummins will arrive in Bengaluru on Tuesday, March 24. Despite joining the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad, Cummins will remain unavailable for the initial matches of the tournament.
In Cummins’ absence, Sunrisers Hyderabad have announced Ishan Kishan as their interim captain. He will lead the team during the first few matches. The franchise has also named explosive opener Abhishek Sharma as the vice-captain until Cummins returns to competitive cricket.
Ishan recently helped the India national cricket team win the T20 World Cup 2026. The wicketkeeper-batter also showcased his leadership by guiding Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title during the 2025-26 domestic season.
Pat Cummins Set to Begin Rigorous Rehabilitation
After arriving in Bengaluru, Pat Cummins will begin a tailored rehabilitation program under the strict supervision of the Sunrisers Hyderabad medical team.
The Hyderabad-based franchise is taking a cautious approach to ensure Cummins achieves full recovery before returning to bowl in high-pressure matches in the tournament.
Although Cummins will miss the opening games, his presence in the dugout will remain valuable. He is expected to provide tactical guidance and support to interim captain Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma during the initial phase of IPL 2026.
Ishan Kishan to Attend Captains' Meeting
As the interim skipper of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Ishan Kishan will travel to Mumbai to attend the mandatory IPL captains' meeting on March 25. The meeting will feature captains from all ten franchises engaging in important pre-season discussions about rules and preparations for IPL 2026.
The schedule will begin with an official promotional photo session at noon involving all team captains. Following these activities, Kishan and the other nine captains will take part in a key meeting with senior BCCI officials from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm in Mumbai.
Pat Cummins previously led Sunrisers Hyderabad to the IPL 2024 final against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He has picked up 34 wickets in 30 matches for the franchise at an average of 29.88 and an economy rate of 9.18, with best bowling figures of 3/19.
SRH will be eager for Cummins to complete his rehabilitation quickly to boost their bowling attack later in the season. In the absence of Pat Cummins, Eshan Malinga is expected to play as the specialist overseas fast bowler in the starting lineup.
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