{"id":45157,"date":"2026-03-18T17:15:27","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T11:45:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/sports\/?p=45157"},"modified":"2026-03-18T17:15:27","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T11:45:27","slug":"ipl-2026-ishan-kishan-to-lead-sunrisers-hyderabad-in-the-absence-of-pat-cummins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/sports\/cricket\/ipl\/ipl-2026-ishan-kishan-to-lead-sunrisers-hyderabad-in-the-absence-of-pat-cummins\/","title":{"rendered":"IPL 2026: Ishan Kishan to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in the absence of Pat Cummins"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:7fcee959-13f9-4802-b166-e7cbe9533635-39\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-2\" data-scroll-anchor=\"true\" data-turn=\"assistant\">\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

With Pat Cummins<\/span><\/span> set to miss the opening phase of IPL 2026 due to injury concerns, Sunrisers Hyderabad<\/span><\/span> could be forced into a leadership rethink opening the door for Ishan Kishan<\/span><\/span> to take charge.<\/p>\n

The absence of Cummins is a significant setback for SRH. As the regular skipper and leader of the bowling attack, his experience is central to the team\u2019s balance. Without him, the bowling unit looks relatively inexperienced, raising concerns about how SRH will cope in the early matches.<\/p>\n

In this situation, Kishan has emerged as a strong candidate to step in as a temporary captain. While Abhishek Sharma<\/span><\/span> is also in contention, Kishan\u2019s domestic captaincy experience gives him an edge.<\/p>\n

After a challenging phase, Kishan has rediscovered form and confidence through an outstanding Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy<\/span><\/span> campaign. Leading Jharkhand, he guided his side to their maiden title with an aggressive approach. In the final, he smashed 101 off 49 balls, powering his team to 262\/3 and a dominant 69-run win.<\/p>\n

Across the tournament, he scored 517 runs in 10 matches at an average of 57.44 and a strike rate of 197.32, including two centuries and two fifties\u2014one of the best seasons in the competition\u2019s history. He also impressed in the ICC Men\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026<\/span><\/span>, scoring 317 runs at a strike rate of 193.<\/p>\n

Although Abhishek could serve as his deputy, captaincy in T20 cricket often demands proactive decision-making and leading by example qualities Kishan displayed throughout his domestic campaign. If entrusted with the role, IPL 2026 could mark a defining chapter in his career. For SRH, appointing Kishan would reflect a bold, forward-looking approach.<\/p>\n

From facing criticism to lifting a major domestic trophy as captain, Kishan\u2019s journey reflects resilience and growth. Now, with a leadership role at SRH potentially on the horizon, he has the opportunity to turn his comeback into a full-fledged redemption story on one of cricket\u2019s biggest stages.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n