Former India cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar believes Ishan Kishan should keep the captaincy for Sunrisers Hyderabad even after Pat Cummins is expected to return from a lower-back stress reaction. Bangar’s argument centres on Kishan’s tactical decision-making, especially in how he deploys bowlers and manages matches from the field, suggesting that leadership continuity could be a bigger advantage for SRH than a mid-course change.
Key takeaways
- Sanjay Bangar has backed Ishan Kishan to remain captain for Sunrisers Hyderabad despite Pat Cummins’ anticipated return.
- Kishan has already led the side in all seven matches played so far, after Cummins missed the season’s start due to a lower-back stress reaction.
- Bangar praised Kishan for using bowlers intelligently against specific batters and for making calm, pressure-proof calls during games.
- He highlighted Kishan’s captaincy in SRH’s win over Delhi Capitals as proof of growing maturity, particularly in the use of spinners.
- Bangar suggested that keeping an Indian captain can bring stability, especially given the uncertainty around how long Cummins will remain fit.
- Pat Cummins is expected to return for SRH’s match against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Saturday.
Bangar praises Kishan’s tactical control
Bangar said Kishan’s leadership stands out in the way he handles bowling strategies. In his view, Kishan shows a clear understanding of which bowlers to employ against particular batters, and that ability reflects how effectively he controls the flow of a game.
He also pointed to Kishan’s temperament on the field, noting that the wicketkeeper-batter does not appear rushed or overwhelmed. Instead, Bangar believes Kishan stays composed and consistently backs the right choices during key moments.
Spin management and continuity for SRH
The former coach further cited Kishan’s handling of spinners during SRH’s win over Delhi Capitals as a sign of his captaincy growth. Bangar described the approach as impressive, framing it as evidence that Kishan is making increasingly mature decisions as the tournament progresses.
Bangar then added that, even with Cummins set to come back, Kishan should continue leading SRH. He argued that continuity tends to benefit franchises, and he also stressed that an Indian captain often helps maintain consistency. Bangar raised a fitness-related concern as well, saying it is hard to predict how long a bowler of Cummins’ profile will stay fully available for the remainder of the IPL, given the niggles he has been managing.
Cummins’ expected return
According to Bangar, stability in leadership could prove especially important in the second half of the season. By keeping Kishan in charge, he believes SRH would retain continuity across the squad, which he felt is the best path for the franchise heading forward.
Regular skipper Cummins is expected to rejoin Sunrisers Hyderabad for the match against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Saturday.
