New Delhi: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) skipper Pat Cummins has flown back to Australia for his final scan on his injured back. Cricket Australia’s medical team would be giving the Aussie player a clearance for his participation during the second phase of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, Cummins, who has been out of action since July 2025, with just one Ashes Test appearance in between, has left the side’s camp at the ongoing cash-rich league and retuned home to do a final scan. The report further says that Cummins left India at the end of SRH’s last game against Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata on Thursday.
Cummins expected to join squad on April 17
The tall player is expected to rejoin the squad on April 17, if he gets clearance from Cricket Australia. Cummins, meanwhile has bowling hard at the SRH nets which is part of the Return to Play protocol. Right from the beginning, it was clear that the pace bowler will be available during the second half of the tournament, with the player and CA making it clear.
In his absence, left-hander Ishan Kish has been given the responsibility of the side’s captaincy. Meanwhile, just a week after leaving Australia for India, Cummins had told that he is recovering well from the back injury and he will be back on the field soon.
‘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. 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.’
In his absence, Eshan Malinga and David Payne have been performing the duties of overseas pacers for the SRH. The Sunrisers will host Lucknow Super Giants at home on Sunday afternoon.
(With PTI inputs)