Sunrisers Hyderabad’s pace spearhead Pat Cummins will miss the opening phase of the Indian Premier League 2026 after being sidelined with a lumbar bone‑stress injury, but the Australia captain is expected to rejoin the squad in the tournament’s second half if he clears a final fitness test.
Cummins has been managing the injury since around July 2025, a problem that forced him out of the 2026 T20 World Cup and ruled him unavailable for SRH’s first IPL matches. He rejoined Sunrisers’ training group in late March but has not featured in any competitive games; head coach Daniel Vettori said Cummins’ fitness has “progressed well” and that he could return “within the next fortnight.”
Multiple reports say Cummins will undergo a final fitness assessment in Australia around mid‑April.
If he passes that test and receives clearance from Cricket Australia, he is expected to return to Hyderabad and rejoin the SRH squad on or about April 17. The franchise and media have framed a successful clearance as a “back‑half boost,” with Cummins being pencilled in to contribute during the latter stages of the IPL and, if Sunrisers qualify, the playoffs. With Cummins unavailable,
wicketkeeper‑batter Ishan Kishan has taken over captaincy duties and led SRH in the opening fixtures against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders.
Pundits watching SRH’s early campaign have pointed to the bowling unit’s shortcomings more than any batting deficiencies; in commentary linked to an ESPNCricinfo video, Ambati Rayudu and Aaron Finch suggested Sunrisers miss Cummins’ wicket‑taking aggression and the leadership he brings to the attack — traits they say have been sorely needed in the team’s early matches. If Cummins is cleared mid‑April, Sunrisers will hope his return strengthens an attack that, according to analysts, has looked under pressure without its lead pacer.
