Sunrisers Hyderabad will begin their IPL 2026 campaign under new leadership, with Ishan Kishan appointed interim captain in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins, who is sidelined with a back injury.
Cummins, the Australian Test captain, is set to miss the opening matches of the season due to a stress injury in his lower back. The injury had already ruled him out of the Ashes in Australia and the subsequent T20 World Cup, raising concerns about his immediate availability for franchise duties.
In Cummins’ absence, the franchise has turned to Kishan, one of their most in-form players, to lead the side. Young opener Abhishek Sharma has been named vice-captain and will support Kishan during this period.
The development creates a rare moment in IPL history, with all 10 teams set to be captained by Indian players — a scenario last seen during the early phase of the 2019 season.
Kishan’s appointment comes on the back of an impressive run with both bat and reputation. Bought for ₹11.25 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter justified his price tag with consistent performances. He finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer last season, amassing 317 runs in just nine matches at a staggering average of 80.25 and a strike rate nearing 200.
His performances have also translated onto the international stage, where he has climbed to the No. 2 position in the ICC T20I batting rankings — just behind his new deputy, Abhishek Sharma.
For Sunrisers Hyderabad, this leadership shift comes at a crucial time. Under Cummins, the team reached the IPL final in 2024 but slipped to a sixth-place finish the following season, missing out on the playoffs. The franchise will now look to regain momentum and consistency as they begin a fresh campaign.
Kishan’s leadership will be tested immediately, with Sunrisers set to face defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their opening match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28. The high-profile clash offers an early opportunity for the stand-in captain to make his mark.
While Cummins is expected to return later in the season, Kishan’s stint as interim captain could prove pivotal in shaping Sunrisers Hyderabad’s early trajectory. For now, the team will hope that his aggressive batting approach translates into bold and effective leadership on the field.
