Pat Cummins is currently recovering from a back injury, impacting his participation in IPL 2026. Ishan Kishan is stepping in as captain for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Before the start of IPL 2026, expectations were high for Pat Cummins, who had previously led Sunrisers Hyderabad to the finals in IPL 2024. However, his recent lumbar stress back injury has cast a shadow over his participation in the tournament.
The decisive moment came when Cummins was ruled out of the 2026 T20 World Cup due to his injury. As he continues to recover, Ishan Kishan has stepped in as the stand-in captain for Sunrisers Hyderabad, leading the team in the opening match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Currently, Cummins has begun bowling in the nets but has not yet received clearance from Cricket Australia to compete in the IPL. Daniel Vettori, a former player and now a coach, mentioned that Cummins could potentially be available in the next 10-12 days, which raises hopes for his return.
The absence of Cummins has significant implications for Sunrisers Hyderabad, who are relying on Kishan and other key players like Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head to perform in his stead. In IPL 2025, Cummins had an impressive record, taking 16 wickets in 14 games with an average of 28.13 and an economy rate of 9.06.
Vettori noted, “His fitness has been exceptional. He’s been out of the game for an extended period of time, so he’s had time to work on fitness,” highlighting the positive aspects of Cummins’ rehabilitation process.
As the tournament progresses, the anticipation for Cummins’ return grows. Fans and analysts alike are keen to see how his recovery will impact the dynamics of the team and the tournament as a whole.
For now, details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact timeline of Cummins’ return, but the cricket community is hopeful for his swift recovery and return to action.
With the IPL 2026 season underway, all eyes are on Cummins as he aims to make a comeback, while Kishan leads the charge for Sunrisers Hyderabad in his absence.
