Sunrisers Hyderabad began their campaign with three defeats in the opening four fixtures, leaving them stuck in the lower half of the points table. In the midst of that early strain, one question kept resurfacing: when would Pat Cummins be back? The SRH captain was still sidelined with a back problem, and after guiding the franchise to the IPL 2024 final, he missed the first half of the 2026 season. With the bowling unit struggling, the gap left by his absence felt even more significant.
That picture changed sharply after April 13. SRH then reeled off three straight victories, with a clear improvement in their bowling performances acting as the turning point. As the results began to stack up, the team showed trust in less-heralded names such as Praful Hinge, Sakib Hussain and Eshan Malinga, allowing the side to find a new rhythm.
By the halfway stage, Sunrisers had climbed to third place, and suddenly the earlier worry around Cummins’ non-availability faded. If anything, it sparked another debate inside the franchise: with things running well, do SRH really need to bring him back immediately?
Pros and cons for Kishan vs Cummins
With Cummins expected to return later this week, the discussion has only grown louder. The key issue for the team management is whether SRH should keep Ishan Kishan as captain on a full-time basis, despite the fact that he had initially been appointed as interim skipper.
The argument for sticking with Kishan is strong. He has shown tactical sharpness, has been proactive in the field, and has even stepped away from wicketkeeping so he can stay more involved near the bowlers. Under his leadership, SRH have regained momentum. His captaincy credentials also extend beyond the IPL—he previously led Jharkhand successfully in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
So the dilemma comes down to whether Sunrisers will be willing to break the continuity they have built. At present, the franchise appears inclined to continue with Kishan as the full-time captain even after Cummins returns. While continuity matters, longer-term planning may ultimately carry even more weight.
Australia’s busy Test schedule in 2027 adds another layer to the decision. A Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India, followed by the IPL and then a five-match Ashes tour in England, could force tight workload management. With that in mind, it is plausible that fast bowlers like Cummins may choose to skip the IPL next year as well—making Kishan a more practical leadership option for SRH’s planning horizon.
Kishan proving his worth as skipper
Simon Doull also leaned toward keeping Kishan in charge. He said, “I don’t think he’s back for at least 2 more games anyway. But in my opinion, I would stick with Ishan Kishan. I think he’s done a good job. He’s obviously got captaincy experience, and if you are looking forward to the rest of the season and to next year.”
Doull added that the Test-heavy itinerary could limit how much the Australian players participate in the IPL. “If they’ve got 5 Test matches in India and then an Ashes series as well, I don’t see any of the Australians playing much of the IPL next year at all. Yeah, maybe some of the batters. I don’t see the bowlers playing. So that’s 10 Test matches before July. I don’t see them—I don’t see the bowlers playing any, if—maybe a couple of weeks, if at all,” he said.
He further noted that, unlike many first-time captains, Kishan’s batting has not been dragged down by the responsibility. “I think he’s done it. He’s done a good job. He’s done a decent job. Um, I don’t see any reason for them to change. And if you’re going to change 9 games into a season, I don’t see how that would be beneficial to anyone,” Doull said.
Doull concluded by emphasising that the captaincy has not altered Kishan’s batting approach. “Yeah, it doesn’t seem to have affected his ability to bat. He’s not batting any differently. Okay, he’s not got a run of scores, but he’s not batting any differently.”
For SRH, the decision now carries major importance. Yet for a side that has rediscovered its balance, the bigger threat may not be choosing Kishan—it may be the possibility of disrupting a combination that is already working.
