Sunrisers Hyderabad’s IPL 2026 campaign has carried a notable shift in leadership, yet the franchise still secured a playoff berth with a week left in the season. Australia captain Pat Cummins—who also captains SRH—joined the squad in the second half of the tournament. Before his arrival, Ishan Kishan led the side and helped steer them to four victories. Speaking at the New Balance “Grey Days” launch event on Tuesday in an exclusive conversation, Cummins praised Kishan’s impact, explained why Kishan was selected as vice-captain, shared what he took from SRH owner Kavya Maran after a disappointing 2025, and also reflected on his matchup with 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Key takeaways
- SRH qualified for the playoffs in IPL 2026 with a week remaining, despite going through a leadership change.
- Pat Cummins joined the team during the second half of the season, after Ishan Kishan had already guided SRH to four wins.
- Cummins backed Ishan Kishan’s vice-captaincy, saying the dressing room responded positively to him and that he understood captaincy well.
- Cummins credited SRH owner Kavya Maran’s guidance after a tough 2025 and described the team’s approach evolving through IPL 2026.
- He called Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a genuine talent, highlighting the aggressive manner in which the teenager batted and the century he scored against SRH.
From last season’s lows to a sharper identity
Cummins said the owners were supportive throughout, and addressed how last year’s performance fell short of SRH’s true potential. He noted that in the first part of the 2025 season, the team did not play anywhere close to what they were capable of. However, he pointed to a late surge—SRH won their final three or four matches—which, in his view, indicated they were building toward the kind of cricket they wanted to execute.
Looking ahead to IPL 2026, Cummins said SRH started the campaign knowing that 2025 represented the most difficult form they could have produced. He also mentioned that several new players had bought into the aggressive style that helped the franchise find success, reinforcing the same tempo and mindset across the group.
Ishan Kishan’s leadership and the decision-making behind vice-captaincy
When asked about Ishan Kishan’s role as the leader for half the season, Cummins said there were multiple options available. He explained that Kishan had delivered a strong domestic season as captain, and recalled being asked a question about the stand-in captaincy. Cummins responded that Kishan would be a great choice because the team “loved him,” describing him as “awesome” in the role.
On how much he involved himself during Kishan’s captaincy period, Cummins said he kept his engagement light. He added that he allowed Kishan to do things his way, positioned himself as support if needed, and chose to stay out of the way because Kishan already knew how to captain effectively.
Ahmedabad memories and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s rise
With the IPL final scheduled in Ahmedabad—an arena where Cummins said he has played several times—he shared that it feels like a ground he knows well. He added that SRH had played there recently and found it to be a tricky wicket, while also calling the stadium a great venue.
Cummins also addressed the national attention surrounding 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He said the youngster looks like a real talent and praised his approach, describing it as highly aggressive and fearless. Cummins specifically pointed to Sooryavanshi’s hundred against SRH, saying the teenager batted “fantastically well” during their battle.
New Balance “Grey Days” and Cummins’ view on the brand
When asked what differentiates New Balance in a market packed with competition, Cummins highlighted innovation as a key factor. He referenced how, over the last decade or so, the brand has consistently introduced fresh ideas, new designs, new materials, and new shoe concepts, adding that it maintains a strong balance between performance and culture.
On the “Grey Days” collection, Cummins said it is impressive and connected it to the brand’s history. He explained that New Balance was among the first to make grey a cool colour in its clothing and footwear back in the 1980s, and said the current range carries a bold tone.
