Pat Cummins Targets IPL 2026 Mid-Season Return For SRH Amid Injury Concerns

Pat Cummins will miss the opening phase of IPL 2026 due to injury, with Ishan Kishan stepping in as interim captain for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Pat Cummins, Australia’s Test and ODI captain and a key figure for Sunrisers Hyderabad, will not be available at the start of IPL 2026 as he continues to recover from a back injury that has kept him out of action this year.

The Hyderabad-based franchise had secured Cummins for ₹20.50 crore during the IPL 2024 auction and retained him for ₹18 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction after he guided the team to the final in 2024. He also featured in all 14 matches for the franchise last season, underlining his importance to the squad.

Although he has now joined the team in India, he is still working towards full fitness and is expected to sit out the early matches of the tournament.

Ishan Kishan to Captain SRH in Initial Matches

With Cummins unavailable, Ishan Kishan will take over the captaincy duties for the opening fixtures of IPL 2026. This includes the season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 28.

Kishan’s leadership role comes as a temporary arrangement, with the franchise hoping Cummins will return later in the tournament to resume captaincy. His absence is expected to impact the team, particularly in the bowling department.

Cummins Targets Mid-Tournament Comeback

Cummins has shared a positive update regarding his recovery, indicating that he has already resumed bowling and is progressing steadily.

“I’m still recovering from a back injury, but it’s good. I’m back bowling in the nets,” Cummins said on the Business of Sport podcast in an episode recorded late last week. “The IPL is starting soon. I won’t make the start of that, but it shouldn’t be too long before I’m back out there playing.”

He further added, “I’m back bowling. I’m bowling basically every third day at the moment. We’ve mapped out a plan to get me right by (the) middle of the tournament, so hopefully, if nothing goes wrong, (I’ll) play the back half plus the finals.”

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The franchise will be eager to have him back for the latter stages, as their current pace attack—featuring Brydon Carse, Eshan Malinga, and David Payne—lacks IPL experience. Notably, Carse and Payne are set to make their IPL debuts this season after joining as replacements.