Sunrisers Hyderabad are preparing for a crucial eighth match of IPL 2026 against Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, with Pat Cummins poised to return after recovering from a back injury. The Australian all-rounder, who has been out since the early phase of the season, says he is raring to get back into action and help SRH build momentum.
Key takeaways
- Pat Cummins is expected to play against Rajasthan Royals after clearing a fitness test following a back injury.
- During Cummins’ absence, Ishan Kishan captained SRH and led the team through their first seven matches.
- Cummins praised Kishan’s overall leadership impact, while joking that the stand-in skipper struggled with tosses.
- SRH’s fast-bowling performances from younger players have impressed Cummins as the season has progressed.
- Under Kishan, SRH have won 4 of 7 games and sit fourth in the standings with 8 points and a net run rate of +0.820.
Cummins eyes a return as SRH head to Jaipur
With the match scheduled at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Cummins’ comeback is expected to be a timely boost for SRH. The 32-year-old said he has felt “excited” to return, adding that watching cricket without playing has left him feeling restless and eager to step back onto the field.
SRH posted Cummins’ remarks in a video shared by the franchise on X, where the fast-bowling all-rounder described his eagerness to contribute again. He also acknowledged the rhythm SRH have found in his absence, crediting the leadership and energy provided by Ishan Kishan.
In his assessment of Kishan’s stint as captain, Cummins noted that the team has been performing with strong intensity and momentum. He complimented Kishan’s work ethic and tactical awareness, while also delivering a light-hearted jab regarding match tosses.
“I think for the most part, Ishan was good,” Cummins said, before continuing with a joke that when it came to tosses, Kishan “was absolutely terrible.” He then stressed that beyond that one area, the stand-in skipper had been excellent, highlighting how Kishan has been “brewing” with plenty of energy and making positive tactical calls from the outside.
Cummins further pointed to the way SRH’s batting and bowling unit appear to be functioning together, mentioning both Ishan and Abhishek as part of a smooth-running approach. He said that when he returns, he will be relying on those players as well, and ended with praise for Kishan’s efforts: “well done, Ishan, he’s been awesome,” in his words.
IPL pace challenge and praise for SRH’s young bowlers
Cummins also reflected on the specific demands of fast bowling in the IPL, describing the league as a tough environment for pacers. He suggested that the pace and tempo of IPL cricket is difficult to find at first, but said SRH’s younger bowlers have looked like they have settled quickly into the format.
The Australian emphasized that the young seamers appear to hit the ground running, feel for the game, and manage their bowling plans with smart sequencing of variations. While he acknowledged that it will not go perfectly every match, he believed the group has made an excellent start to the season.
He explained that he has struggled to adjust to the pace of IPL in general, but that the performances he has seen from SRH’s emerging quicks show they have already become “complete players” in terms of readiness and execution—even if results can fluctuate from game to game.
Timeline to the comeback and SRH’s current position
Cummins had travelled to India ahead of the start of the season but did not feature in the initial matches. After SRH’s thrilling win over Kolkata Knight Riders on April 2, he returned to Australia soon after the game to undergo scans on his back.
Now, with his fitness test cleared on Friday, Cummins is set to rejoin the playing XI and take over captaincy duties from Kishan. His return is expected to allow SRH to maintain their momentum as the tournament moves forward.
Under Kishan’s leadership, SRH have recorded four wins from seven matches. They currently occupy fourth place in the points table, sitting on eight points and holding a net run rate of +0.820. With Cummins back in contention, the franchise will look to build on that strong platform as they face Rajasthan Royals next.
