SRH Confirms Pat Cummins as IPL 2026 Captain

Pat Cummins will continue to lead the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, the franchise officially announced on Monday. This decision solidifies Cummins’ role as captain for a third consecutive IPL season. The announcement, made through a social media post featuring the Australian pace spearhead, signals SRH’s strong belief in his captaincy. Cummins is presently dealing with a back injury, necessitating his absence from the first Ashes Test. However, he is expected to recover in time for the subsequent Test match in December. Despite this temporary health concern, SRH has reaffirmed its commitment to Cummins, highlighting his importance in their strategic planning. Acquired for ₹20.50 crore in the 2024 auction, Cummins brought a winning pedigree to Hyderabad, having led Australia to major international titles. The team is also banking on the formidable opening duo of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, who were instrumental in their run to the IPL 2024 final. In a strategic move to bolster the squad, SRH has traded Mohammed Shami and released spinners Adam Zampa and Rahul Chahar, aiming to create a more balanced team and leverage Cummins’ experience after failing to make the playoffs in IPL 2025.