Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Winning Streak Under Ishan Kishan
Sunrisers Hyderabad made a strong return to their winning form under the leadership of their stand-in captain, Ishan Kishan. In their second match of the tournament, SRH defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by a significant margin of 65 runs. This victory came after an initial loss against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and it marked a turning point for the team. The batters performed at crucial moments, while the bowlers consistently took wickets, ensuring that SRH remained competitive throughout the game.
The team is now looking forward to further strengthening its lineup in the coming days, as regular skipper Pat Cummins is expected to rejoin the squad after recovering from an injury. Cummins, who has missed the first two matches of the IPL 2026 season, is set to undergo final scans on his injured back soon. If all goes according to plan, he will be back with the team on April 17, just a day before their next match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Pat Cummins’ Return and Schedule
According to several reports, the scan for Cummins was scheduled in advance, with Cricket Australia (CA) overseeing the process. The Australian skipper left the camp immediately after SRH’s win over KKR at the Eden Gardens. If everything proceeds as expected, Cummins will be able to join the team a day prior to the clash against RCB once he receives approval from Cricket Australia. However, he is likely to miss the next three matches against the Lucknow Super Giants, Punjab Kings, and Rajasthan Royals.
Cummins had previously hinted at the possibility of returning to play in the second half of the IPL 2026 if he recovers in time. Last month, during an appearance on the Business of Sports podcast, he mentioned:
“I’m still recovering from a back injury, but it’s good. I’m back bowling in the nets. The IPL is starting soon. I won’t make the start of that, but it shouldn’t be too long before I’m back out there playing. I’m back bowling. I’m bowling basically every third day at the moment. We’ve mapped out a plan to get me right by the middle of the tournament.”
Leadership and Pace Attack
In Cummins’ absence, Ishan Kishan has taken charge of the team effectively, leading them to one win and one loss so far. Two of the most prominent pacers in white-ball cricket, Eshan Malinga and David Payne, have been handling the pace attack for SRH. If Cummins returns in the latter half of the tournament, one of these two players may need to sit out, depending on their performance and the team’s strategy.
The team’s future looks promising with the potential return of Cummins, who brings not only leadership but also a strong bowling presence. As the tournament progresses, fans will be eagerly watching to see how the team adapts with or without their regular skipper.
