Sunrisers Hyderabad have received a major personnel boost in IPL 2026 after captain Pat Cummins cleared his fitness check and is expected to link up with the squad in the next couple of days. The Australian leader had arrived in India earlier for the season, but has not yet taken the field.
After SRH’s high-pressure win over Kolkata Knight Riders on April 2, Cummins returned to Australia for scans on a back issue. The 32-year-old completed the assessment in Sydney, and the results have indicated that the injury has healed, clearing the path for him to return to competitive cricket.
Quick facts
- Pat Cummins has passed his fitness test and should join SRH within a couple of days.
- He returned to Australia for back scans after SRH’s win over KKR on April 2.
- Scans in Sydney confirmed the injury has healed.
- Cummins is aiming to make his comeback on April 25 vs Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.
- Ishan Kishan has been captaining SRH in Cummins’ absence.
- SRH’s points position: fourth place with a net run rate of 0.576.
- SRH beat Rajasthan Royals by 57 runs after bowling them out for 159 in 19 overs.
- Next match: SRH face Chennai Super Kings on Saturday at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad.
Cummins is now targeting a return on April 25, when SRH are scheduled to travel to Jaipur to take on Rajasthan Royals. He also indicated through social media that he plans to fly back to India right away to rejoin the group.
The fast bowler has been sidelined since the Ashes in Australia against England, with no IPL appearance since then. He also missed the recently concluded ICC T20 World Cup 2026, where Australia were eliminated in the group stage for the first time.
With Cummins unavailable, Ishan Kishan has taken over the captaincy duties for SRH. Under his leadership, the side has managed two wins out of five matches so far in the current campaign, placing them fourth in the table. Their net run rate currently stands at 0.576.
SRH’s momentum received another lift on Monday against Rajasthan Royals, the top team in the standings. A standout bowling effort from debutants Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain played a decisive role, with both pacers claiming four wickets apiece.
Rajasthan’s chase never got going as they were dismissed for 159 in 19 overs while pursuing a demanding target of 217. SRH ultimately won the contest by 57 runs, reinforcing their standing as a tough side to beat in the middle overs and at the death.
Looking ahead, the 2016 champions will now take on five-time title winners Chennai Super Kings on Saturday. That match is set to be played at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad, giving SRH home conditions as they prepare for the next phase of their campaign.
