Pat Cummins has been cleared to resume bowling after recent scans in Australia confirmed his back stress issue has healed. He is expected to fly to India on April 17 and rejoin Sunrisers Hyderabad soon after.
Cummins eyes April 25 return as SRH weigh timing
Pat Cummins is targeting a return for Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 25 against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, with the franchise taking a cautious route despite his clearance to bowl. He is unlikely to feature in the immediate fixtures against Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals.
The approach is measured. Cummins has had a long layoff due to a back stress issue, and the turnaround between recovery and match readiness remains tight. SRH are currently fourth with two wins, still in the mix but searching for consistency. The question is whether they risk bringing him in early or wait for full readiness.
SRH find bowling rhythm in his absence
SRH head into the game after a 57-run win over Rajasthan Royals, a result built on a much-improved bowling effort. Debutants Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain shared eight wickets, picking up four each to dismantle the opposition.
That performance offered relief after earlier struggles with the ball, where SRH failed to defend big totals. With Cummins unavailable so far, Ishan Kishan has led the side. His contributions with the bat have been steady, but the team has lacked consistency overall.
Leadership return and long-term workload in focus
Pat Cummins is set to resume captaincy from Ishan Kishan once he returns, bringing stability to Sunrisers Hyderabad in both bowling and decision-making. His comeback will be carefully managed, with workload a key factor given Australia’s busy international schedule ahead. Cummins has reiterated his aim to continue playing all formats while balancing rest periods to stay fit for major assignments.
SRH are unlikely to rush him back without full readiness. His return, even if gradual, is expected to be a significant boost for the team for the remainder of the tournament. SRH are currently fourth on the table with two wins from five matches. While they remain in contention, consistency remains the key challenge.
The recent win has eased some pressure, but Cummins’ presence could still be crucial in shaping their campaign. Whether that impact comes immediately or later in the tournament is the decision SRH now have to make.