Pat Cummins will miss the opening matches of the 2026 Indian Premier League due to a back injury, with Ishan Kishan appointed stand-in captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The franchise confirmed this week that Cummins is continuing his recovery from a lumbar stress issue that has disrupted his playing schedule since mid-2025.
While he is expected to link up with the squad in India shortly, he is unlikely to feature in the first few fixtures of the tournament.
In the interim, Kishan will take charge, with Abhishek Sharma named vice-captain. The decision ends speculation over the leadership structure, with Sharma also considered a potential stand-in option given his domestic captaincy experience.
Hyderabad, winners of the IPL in 2016, begin their 2026 campaign on March 28 against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The club has not specified the number of matches Cummins will miss, though reports indicate he could return after the opening three games, depending on his recovery.
Kishan’s elevation to the role follows a strong period in both international and domestic cricket. The 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batter was part of India’s recent T20 World Cup campaign and played a key role in Jharkhand’s maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title in 2025, where he served as captain. His leadership credentials, combined with his experience in the IPL, are understood to have influenced the decision.
Since making his IPL debut in 2016 with Gujarat Lions, Kishan has developed into a regular top-order presence. He later became a high-profile signing for Mumbai Indians, where he spent several seasons and was retained at significant cost before being released and subsequently picked up by Hyderabad. Across his IPL career, he has scored close to 3,000 runs at an average just under 30, with a strike rate exceeding 135, including a century in the previous season.
Sharma, meanwhile, has been part of the Hyderabad set-up since 2019 after starting his IPL career with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). The left-handed batter has built a reputation for aggressive strokeplay at the top of the order, reflected in a strike rate above 160. However, his overall consistency remains an area of scrutiny, with just over 1,800 runs from more than 70 innings.
The pairing of Kishan and Sharma at the helm means Hyderabad will be led by two of India’s more attacking T20 batters during the competition’s early stages. Both players were also part of India’s recent T20 set-up, adding to their familiarity in leadership roles within a high-performance environment.
Cummins’ absence is a setback for Hyderabad, given his dual role as captain and leader of the bowling attack. The Australian fast bowler has been a central figure in the franchise’s plans since taking over the captaincy, bringing both international experience and tactical leadership. His return timeline will be closely monitored as the tournament progresses.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
