New Delhi: With Pat Cummins set to return after an injury layoff, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) face a captaincy dilemma in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. In Cummins’ absence, Ishan Kishan was appointed as the stand-in skipper, and the wicket-keeper batter has done a commendable job, helping the team go on a three-match winning streak after a turbulent start to break into the top four in the IPL 2026 points table.
Cummins was sidelined due to a back injury, which has troubled him regularly over the last few months. However, the Australian pacer has now been declared fit for a comeback and is expected to return to SRH’s playing XI in the IPL 2026. He is also likely to resume leadership duties upon his return, but Kishan’s rise in his absence has left SRH at a crossroads as far as captaincy is concerned.
Sunrisers Hyderabad are currently sitting in the third spot on the IPL 2026 points table with eight points after seven matches so far this season. After managing only one win in their first four matches, the Kishan-led side has managed to spark a turnaround with three wins in a row in their last three matches.
Their revival has led to a debate over whether Kishan should continue leading SRH even after Cummins’ return. Kishan, who led Jharkhand to a memorable Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy triumph earlier this year, has grown into the leadership role and has developed a great understanding with his players, playing a key role in his team’s revival.
However, with Cummins set to return, Sunrisers Hyderabad will have to take a difficult call regarding their captaincy choice. The franchise will have to choose between a proven leader who helped them reach the final in IPL 2024 or a young captain who has grown in confidence and stepped up in Cummins’ absence to lead the side exemplarily well.
Ishan Kishan receives backing to continue leading SRH
Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar has backed Kishan to continue leading SRH even after Cummins’ return in the IPL 2026. Bangar hailed Kishan’s leadership qualities, praising him for the use of his bowlers and his bowling changes at crucial junctures in a game.
He highlighted Kishan’s terrific utilisation of his bowlers during SRH’s clash against the Delhi Capitals on Tuesday, where the Men in Orange comfortably defended a huge total of 242 runs to register a clinical 47-run victory to bag their third win on the trot.
“Ishan Kishan as a leader is tactically very good in terms of how he uses his bowlers. He understands which bowlers to use against which batters. It is a clear marker of how well he controls the game. He doesn’t look flustered, is not hurried, and is taking the right calls on the field,” Bangar said on JioHotstar.
“The way he used his spinners against DC was impressive. All in all, I believe that even if Pat Cummins comes back, Ishan should continue captaining SRH. More often than not, having an Indian captain brings consistency,” added the former India batting coach.
Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on the Rajasthan Royals in their next game on Saturday, April 25. SRH are set to be boosted by the return of Cummins, who had earlier said he is targeting the RR game for his comeback. However, it remains to be seen if the Aussie pacer will take over the captaincy after his return or will Kishan be allowed to continue.