JUST IN: Pat Cummins to join SRH for IPL 2026 on THIS date

Pat Cummins has done a decent job as a captain of SRH in IPL.

The Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) will kickstart with the clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on 28th March. But, SRH will have to play the first game without their captain Pat Cummins, who is still recovering from a back injury.

In his absence, SRH will be captained by Ishan Kishan. The keeper-batter was just part of the Indian squad, which won T20 World Cup 2026, where he contributed heavily for the team. Along with him, Abhishek Sharma will be acting as the vice-captain of the team.

Also Read: IPL 2026: How did Cameron Green perform in KKR’s practice match?

Pat Cummins to join SRH on March 24 for IPL 2026

However, Cummins is expected to come to India very soon, as he has got clearance from Cricket Australia (CA) to travel to the IPL. As per the reports in Cricbuzz, the fast bowler will be joining the team on March 24 in Bengaluru.

However, his availability to play is still not confirmed, and he has not received clearance from Cricket Australia so far. Cummins has been away from competitive cricket for a while now, with his last international appearance coming in December 2025 against England.

He was then ruled out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 due to injury and his sole focus has been on regaining his full fitness. Cricket Australia has decided to opt for a cautious approach for one of their lead pacers, keeping in mind an upcoming packed schedule.

Pat Cummins track record as SRH captain

Cummins has also been an important part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team for the last two years. He was bought by the franchise in 2024 for a massive amount of ₹20.50 crore and was immediately given the captaincy role, courtesy of being a World Cup-winning captain.

He led by example, changing the mindset of the team. The Orange Army made it to the finals in 2024 with their aggressive approach but failed to win against Kolkata Knight Riders. They couldn’t recreate the same magic the next year, as they failed to qualify for playoffs.

However, with a few new names added to the squad and most players looking in form, the team is expected to do much better this time around, and they will need the services of their captain.

Kishan, who has been named the stand-in captain, also has leadership experience, as he led Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last year, and he has been in great form throughout the year.

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