Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)’s IPL 2026 campaign has taken an early hit, with captain Pat Cummins set to miss the initial phase of the tournament due to injury.
How many matches will SRH’s captain Pat Cummins miss in IPL 2026?
While the franchise has not officially confirmed the exact number of games, reports suggest that the Australian pace spearhead is likely to sit out the first three matches as he continues his recovery from a lingering back issue.
For SRH, this comes as a significant blow. Cummins has been a central figure in the team’s plans – not just as a strike bowler, but also as a leader. His absence in the opening games means the team will have to quickly adapt, both in terms of bowling strategy and on-field leadership.
Cummins hasn’t featured in competitive cricket since December 2025, and his recovery process is still ongoing. Although Cricket Australia has cleared him to participate in the IPL, he is not yet match-ready. He is expected to join the SRH squad on March 23, where he will continue rehabilitation under the supervision of the franchise’s medical team.
As things stand, Cummins is likely to miss three key fixtures:
- The season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 28 in Bengaluru
- The away clash against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 2 at Eden Gardens
- The home game against Lucknow Super Giants on April 5 in Hyderabad
These are crucial early matches that often set the tone for the rest of the campaign, making his absence even more impactful.
Ishan Kishan to lead as SRH reshuffle leadership group
With Cummins unavailable, the Kavya Mayan-owned franchise wasted no time in restructuring their leadership setup. In a bold move, the franchise has handed the captaincy to Ishan Kishan for the opening phase of the tournament, marking his first stint as an IPL captain.
Kishan’s appointment reflects the team’s confidence in his leadership potential. He recently led Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title and was also the tournament’s top run-scorer, showcasing both form and composure under pressure.
Backing him as vice-captain is Abhishek Sharma, currently one of the most exciting T20 talents in the game. Ranked as the world’s No. 1 T20I batter, Abhishek has been in exceptional form and brings energy and aggression to the leadership group. Both Kishan and Abhishek were also key members of India’s recent T20 World Cup-winning squad, adding further credibility to their roles.
The franchise confirmed the decision in a statement: “Pat Cummins will miss a few games while recovering from injury. Until he recovers, Ishan Kishan will be the Captain and Abhishek Sharma will be the Vice-Captain.”
From a tactical perspective, SRH will now have to rework their bowling plans in Cummins’ absence. His ability to deliver breakthroughs with the new ball and control the game in pressure situations is hard to replace. The team will likely rely more on their existing pace options and all-rounders to fill that gap.
For the Sunrisers and owner Kavya Maran, the focus will be on staying competitive until their captain returns fully fit. If they can navigate these initial hurdles successfully, Cummins’ comeback later in the season could provide a major boost.
