Pat Cummins, the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, has been managing a back issue since last year. As he continues his recovery, Cummins has confirmed that he will miss the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, which begins on Saturday.
In a recent statement, Cummins expressed optimism about his recovery, saying, “I’m still recovering from a back injury, but it’s good. I’m back bowling in the nets.” He further noted, “I won’t make the start of that, but it shouldn’t be too long before I’m back out there playing.” This marks a significant moment for Cummins, who has played only one competitive match since July last year.
As part of his recovery plan, Cummins is currently bowling in the nets every third day. He aims to return to competitive cricket in the second half of IPL 2026, provided his recovery progresses as planned. “We’ve mapped out a plan to get me right by (the) middle of the tournament, so hopefully, if nothing goes wrong, (I will) play the back half plus the finals,” he stated.
In Cummins’ absence, Ishan Kishan has been appointed as the interim captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kishan has had a successful captaincy stint with his local side over the past year, which has led to confidence in his leadership during this transitional period for the team.
Additionally, Cummins has faced setbacks that have kept him from participating in the T20 World Cup. Observers are keenly watching his recovery as the Bangladesh series is scheduled to run from August 13 to 26, and Cummins’ involvement in future matches remains uncertain.
Sunrisers Hyderabad last won the IPL in 2016, and the team is eager to improve its standing in the league this season. With Cummins’ leadership on hold, the team will look to adapt and perform under Kishan’s guidance until their captain can return.
