With Pat Cummins set to return to the Sunrisers Hyderabad camp, the franchise finds itself at a crucial crossroads midway through the IPL season. The Australian was central to SRH’s run to the finals last year, but his absence this season has opened the door for a new leader to step in and reshape the team’s momentum.
That the responsibility fell on Ishan Kishan, who led the team in Cummins’ absence. What initially appeared to be a stop-gap deal quickly developed into a compelling leadership case, with Kishan leading the side through a turbulent start and into a more stable winning phase.
SRH’s season has been one of renewal and recalibration. After a series of early defeats, the team found their rhythm, improved their bowling and improved their coordination on the field. Much of this turnaround coincided with Kishan settling into the role of captain and building a stronger understanding with his players.
WITH Cummins is now back in contention after recovering from injury, SRH must decide whether to go back to their proven leader or continue to back the young captain who has helped revive their campaign. The decision is far from easy and could have significant implications for the rest of the season.
Kishan’s leadership is gaining support
The debate gathered steam, with former India opener Harbhajan Singh advocating continuity under Kishan. In an interview on JioHotstar, Harbhajan said that SRH should resist the temptation to go back to Cummins immediately.
“Ishan Kishan should continue as captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad even if Pat Cummins returns. It’s a debatable call but if the team has backed the young leader, they should stick with him,” Harbhajan said.
He acknowledged the influence of Cummins in guiding SRH to the 2024 finals, but emphasized that the current set-up appears balanced under Kishan. “The bowlers and other players have developed a good coordination with him. Keeping Ishan as captain will benefit Sunrisers Hyderabad,” he added.
SRH’s recent performances support this argument. After a mixed start to the campaign, the team found a rhythm and won four of their last five matches, including convincing victories over Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. Kishan’s calm presence on the field and proactive decision-making have drawn praise from many quarters.
Bangar raises concerns about fitness and continuity
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar also backed Kishan to continue as captain, stressing both tactical and practical factors.
“Ishan Kishan as a leader is tactically very good in terms of how he uses his bowlers. He understands which bowlers to use against which batsmen. It’s a clear indicator of how well he controls the game,” Bangar said on Star Sports.
Pointing to Kishan’s composure under pressure, Bangar noted that the young captain “doesn’t look clustered, not rushed and takes the right calls on the field”. His handling of spin options, especially in the win over Delhi Capitals, stood out as a key example.
Importantly, Bangar also raised concerns about Cummins’ fitness. The Australian captain is coming back from a lower back stress reaction that kept him out of the T20 World Cup and delayed his IPL 2026 campaign.
“You can’t be sure how fit a bowler of Pat Cummins’ caliber will stay for the rest of the IPL, considering the ailments he’s dealing with,” Bangar said, adding that continuity in management could prove crucial for SRH.
Cummins is expected to be available for SRH’s match against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, setting up a major selection process to lead the team.
Uncapped stars feature in SRH’s revival
Another key factor in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s turnaround was the arrival of uncapped players Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain. The duo stepped up at crucial moments and provided balance and energy to the side during the off-season. Their contributions, especially with the ball, complemented the older players and gave Kishan more flexibility as captain.
Sakib in particular benefited from the clarity of communication from the captain, with Kishan emphasizing a simple, no-pressure approach. The rise of these uncapped names added depth to the squad and played a significant role in SRH’s resurgence in the tournament.
“My relationship with the bowlers is about keeping things simple and positive. This is T20 cricket, everyone gets hit. What matters is how you come back,” Kishan said, stressing the need to reset quickly and trust execution under pressure.
SRH season and the road ahead
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s campaign has been a revival story. They started with a defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Bengaluru before recording a dominant 65-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders. Losses to Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings followed, putting initial pressure on the side.
However, SRH responded strongly to beat Rajasthan Royals by 57 runs, Chennai Super Kings by 10 runs and Delhi Capitals by 47 runs to climb back into contention.
As SRH prepare for the business end of the tournament, the captain’s call could affect their campaign. Whether they opt for Cummins’ experience or Kishan’s continuity, the decision will reflect the franchise’s long-term vision as much as its immediate ambitions.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
22 Apr 2026 13:34 IST
