Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins believes the mindset required for the playoffs is different from the business of the league stage, insisting that the team must embrace pressure rather than try to blunt its approach. With the title run demanding victories in three successive matches, Cummins said SRH will not lean into conservatism—adding that they are ready to be “even more aggressive” as they chase the next step. SRH, the only side to have lifted the trophy after starting their playoff journey from the Eliminator—achieved during their championship campaign in 2016—will now face Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator on Wednesday evening at the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.
Speaking on how a captain manages the extra tension that comes with knockout cricket, Cummins highlighted the importance of staying true to what worked while still acknowledging that nerves increase in high-stakes games. He said the goal is to preserve the key elements that carried the team to the final, but with the added pressure that playoff matches bring. Cummins also described his personal approach to finals-style pressure, focusing on how he wants the team and himself to look back on the game without regrets. That philosophy, he suggested, will guide SRH as they go after the must-win contest.
On the tactical side, Cummins was clear that the team’s path forward is not about playing safe. “Instead of being more conservative, try and be even more aggressive,” he said, adding that the requirement is straightforward: SRH have to win three games in a row to finish the job. He pointed out that the franchise has already demonstrated the ability to string together those kinds of results across the season, noting that they even managed a run of five consecutive victories at one stage. Cummins also stressed that SRH know Rajasthan’s strengths well, making the challenge tough but not insurmountable.
As a bowler, Cummins explained that the work is always about balancing what you do best with how you plan your bowling against the threat inside each batting line-up. He said that when a side has one or two players capable of taking the contest away from the opposition, captains and bowlers need to invest extra time preparing alternative routes—referring to the importance of having a Plan B or Plan C ready for different phases. Cummins also outlined that SRH will approach Rajasthan’s key threats with specific planning rather than relying on a single method. He said that although a batter scored a century against SRH in their previous meeting, SRH had still managed to restrict him at times with their bowling, while at other moments the opposition managed to break free. The captain indicated that those mixed outcomes will shape SRH’s preparation for the Eliminator.
Cummins then addressed whether SRH’s league-stage double over Rajasthan carries any weight heading into this knockout tie. While acknowledging that the Eliminator effectively resets the competition, he maintained that learnings from earlier games still matter. He said SRH have already played Rajasthan twice, studied many of their players closely, and can draw confidence from the segments of those matches where their team found success. For players looking to handle the pressure of finals cricket, Cummins added, it is helpful to come into the match with evidence that certain approaches have worked against the same opponent.
Looking ahead to how SRH will shape their bowling plans for Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Cummins singled out the Rajasthan batter’s impact so far in IPL 2026. He noted that Suryavanshi has been RR’s leading run-getter in the competition up to this point, amassing 583 runs in 14 matches at an average of 41.64 and a strike rate of 232.27. Cummins reiterated that bowling strategy always begins with understanding your own strengths and how best to apply them, but it becomes more complex when there are game-changing performers in every batting unit. In that context, he said SRH will spend extra time devising contingencies, meaning they will be ready to execute multiple plans depending on how Suryavanshi and the rest of the batting group respond.
Finally, Cummins returned to the previous head-to-head encounter involving Suryavanshi, repeating that while he reached a hundred against SRH last time, there were still periods when SRH bowled well enough to keep him under pressure. He said there were also phases where the batter managed to get away from their control, and SRH will use both those lessons—what worked and what didn’t—to fine-tune their approach. With the Eliminator looming, Cummins’ message was consistent: SRH will carry forward their best habits, plan for the threats with multiple routes, and aim to be bold in the moments that define knockout cricket.
