Pat Cummins Backs Ishan Kishan’s Leadership After SRH Playoff Push in IPL 2026
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Pat Cummins Praises Ishan Kishan’s Captaincy Amid SRH’s IPL 2026 Resurgence
Sunrisers Hyderabad are back in the IPL playoffs, and much of the credit is being shared between returning captain Pat Cummins and stand-in skipper Ishan Kishan. After securing their spot in the final four with a crucial win over Chennai Super Kings, Cummins opened up about the leadership transition and the team’s dramatic turnaround in IPL 2026.
Overcoming Injury and Leadership Challenges
Cummins had a tough road to return after suffering a lumbar stress injury in July 2025 that sidelined him for most of the following year. He managed only one appearance in the remainder of 2025 and missed the Ashes series entirely—except for the third Test—and all limited-overs internationals, including the T20 World Cup held in India and Sri Lanka.
His IPL comeback was carefully managed, restricted initially to the second half of the tournament. With Cummins unavailable, the leadership baton was passed to Ishan Kishan, whose domestic form and captaincy with Jharkhand in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy made him a natural choice.
Kishan’s Rise to Leadership
Kishan led Jharkhand to victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, finishing as the tournament’s highest run-scorer. That performance not only earned him a recall to India’s T20 side but also positioned him as a credible captaincy option for SRH in Cummins’ absence.
The early phase of the IPL 2026 season was turbulent. Under Kishan, SRH lost three of their first four matches. But the team quickly found its rhythm, winning three consecutive games to regain momentum. His leadership helped stabilize the unit during a transitional period.
- Matches led by Ishan Kishan: 7
- Wins under Kishan: 4
- Matches led by Pat Cummins: 6
- Wins under Cummins: 4
Cummins Supports Kishan’s Captaincy
When asked about his role in Kishan’s appointment, Cummins didn’t shy away from taking partial credit.
“We had a few good options. He has had a great domestic season as captain. I got asked a question, and I said ‘Oh, Ishan would be great, the boys love him.’ He was awesome. I let him do his thing. I didn’t get too involved, but I was there if he needed me. He knows how to captain well, so I stayed out of his way,” Cummins said in an interview with NDTV in New Delhi.
Team Culture and Ownership Backing
Cummins also spoke highly of the franchise owners, praising their support after SRH failed to reach the playoffs in 2025.
“The owners have been great. The first half of last year, I don’t think we played anywhere near our potential. We won our last three or four games, which showed that we were onto something with the style we wanted to play. Us at our best are right up there with any other team,” he said.
The addition of new players who embraced SRH’s aggressive brand of cricket has further solidified their campaign this season.
Looking Ahead to the Finals
Now in the playoffs, Sunrisers Hyderabad are aiming to finish in the top two to secure dual pathways to the final. While the momentum has seesawed—winning and losing alternately after Cummins’ return—the team remains confident.
The shared captaincy model, though unconventional, appears to have preserved team harmony and performance levels. Cummins’ hands-off approach empowered Kishan, while his own return added experience and stability.
As SRH gear up for the business end of the tournament, the blend of young leadership and seasoned guidance could be their winning formula.
