Right now, Sunrisers Hyderabad worry about Pat Cummins. He’s healing from a lower back strain. Though Ishan Kishan steps in temporarily, replacing that steady presence isn’t simple. Missing his voice on the field changes things quietly. Leadership feels lighter without him around. His pace too leaves space others must cover.
Now in Bengaluru, Cummins is focusing on healing after getting hurt. The problem first showed up in July, since when he has appeared in just a single game – that Ashes Test back in December. Returning for the 2026 T20 World Cup seemed possible until a small hurdle came up, keeping him out. His stay in India marks another step toward full fitness.
Fresh off the flight, the SRH captain touched down in Bengaluru midweek. At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, short bursts of running marked his first move on ground. After that, he drifted toward an open net, tossing gentle throws instead of full-force deliveries. News came straight from Cummins himself – details clear, timeline firm – about stepping back into action.
Cummins aims for return during IPL second half
Halfway through IPL 2026 might be when Cummins returns, if healing goes well. Though sidelined by a back problem, progress feels positive. Speaking on the Business of Sport podcast recently, he shared cautious optimism. Full match play isn’t here yet, though net sessions are underway again. That tournament begins shortly, missing the opening weeks likely. Yet, being back in games isn’t far off, according to him. Recovery moves step by step, nothing rushed. Bowling actions feel smoother now, part of daily routine once more.
“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, so hopefully, if nothing goes wrong, [I’ll] play the back half plus the finals.”
Cummins sees Kishan as future leader
Even so, the SRH captain expressed confidence in stand-in leader Ishan Kishan handling the job well. Success has followed him lately, leading his regional team over the past twelve months or more, noted Cummins – while adding he turns to India’s experienced players when words get tricky.
Truth is, those locals carry more weight when we start out. Our bowling crew runs deep with hometown talent, so whenever new faces show up – especially at the beginning – I rely heavier on the ones already close to them, sometimes even sharing a tongue. The bond matters right away.
“Most of the guys speak really great English, but some of them don’t, and there are local dialects, so that can be a little bit of a barrier for an international captain.”
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