SunRisers Hyderabad have been dealt a temporary setback in IPL 2026, with captain Pat Cummins returning to Australia for a final scan on his lingering back injury. According to reports, the Australian pacer flew back after SRH’s recent clash against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 4, as he continues his recovery process.
Cummins has been out of action since July last year, a period that saw him miss key assignments, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. His only competitive appearance during this stretch came in a solitary The Ashes Test in December. For a player of his calibre—both as a strike bowler and a leader—his absence has been significant for both Australia and SRH.
The good news for Hyderabad fans, however, is that Pat Cummins is expected to rejoin the squad around April 17, subject to Cricket Australia’s clearance. The franchise remains optimistic that their skipper will be fully fit in time to influence the tournament’s crucial middle phase.
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Earlier, Cummins had already hinted at a delayed start to his IPL campaign. Speaking on a podcast before the season, he acknowledged that his recovery was still ongoing and that the focus was on returning at peak fitness rather than rushing back prematurely. That cautious approach now appears to be guiding his current rehabilitation plan.
#IPL2026: Why has #PatCummins left the #SRH camp mid-season?https://t.co/eqKpMqCMWy
— News9 (@News9Tweets) April 4, 2026
Despite limited match practice, Pat Cummins was seen training with the squad ahead of their opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, offering a glimpse of his gradual progress. In his absence, SRH have turned to a leadership group featuring Ishan Kishan as stand-in captain, with Abhishek Sharma serving as deputy.
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On the bowling front, the team has relied on options like Eshan Malinga and David Payne to fill the void left by Cummins. As SRH prepare to face Lucknow Super Giants next, they will be hoping to maintain momentum while awaiting the return of their premier fast bowler and leader.
