Ishan Kishan Steps Up as Interim Captain for Sunrisers Hyderabad

Ishan Kishan has been appointed as the interim captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad following Pat Cummins' injury. His leadership comes at a crucial time as the team seeks to recover from a disappointing 2025 season. With a strong batting lineup featuring players like Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen, SRH aims to showcase their potential in IPL 2026. However, concerns linger over their bowling attack, especially in the absence of Cummins. This season presents an opportunity for Kishan to establish himself as a key figure in the franchise's future. Will SRH rise to the challenge?

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 23, 2026, 16:07 IST

Ishan Kishan Takes the Helm

Ishan Kishan has stepped in as the interim captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) following Pat Cummins' back injury. Kishan's journey from losing his central contract to leading Jharkhand to victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, along with his contributions to India's T20 World Cup defense, has been impressive. Under his guidance, SRH aims to recover from a disappointing 2025 season.

Strengths of the Team

One of SRH's key strengths is their batting depth. The lineup includes notable players such as Kishan, Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Livingstone, Nitish Reddy, and Aniket Verma. The fact that promising talent Ravichandran Smaran struggles to secure a spot in the playing XI underscores the team's batting prowess. Livingstone's recent acquisition from the auction adds further strength, although his batting position will be closely monitored. Known for his explosive hitting, he typically prefers to settle in before accelerating, which could impact the dynamics of SRH's middle order.

Bowling Attack Challenges

With Cummins sidelined, SRH's pace attack faces challenges. Eshan Malinga, Brydon Carse, and Jaydev Unadkat will need to step up. Malinga's off-cutter and Carse's aggressive bowling style offer variety, while Unadkat brings valuable experience. Wrist-spinner Zeeshan Ansari had a promising season last year but suffered from dropped catches. Left-arm wrist-spinners Shivang Kumar and Krains Fuletra provide additional options, yet SRH's bowling unit lacks the potency seen in rival franchises.

Opportunities Ahead

This season presents SRH with a chance to move past the disappointments of 2025 and demonstrate their batting capabilities. The top order, featuring Abhishek, Head, and Kishan, is supported by a middle order that can deliver match-winning performances. If the batting unit performs consistently, SRH could emerge as one of the most formidable teams in IPL 2026. Kishan's role as captain also allows him to showcase his leadership skills and solidify his position as a key player for the franchise's future.

Potential Threats

Despite their batting strength, SRH's bowling remains a significant concern. Even with high scores, the bowling attack may struggle to defend them. Last season, teams like Gujarat Titans, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Mumbai Indians capitalized on SRH's tendency to falter under pressure. Such weaknesses could resurface if the bowling unit does not perform well. Additionally, the lack of Cummins' leadership early in the season may create gaps in tactical execution.

Projected Strongest XI

On paper, SRH's strongest XI includes Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Livingstone, Aniket Verma, Harsh Dubey, Harshal Patel, and either Eshan Malinga or Brydon Carse alongside Jaydev Unadkat. This lineup is filled with batting talent but relies heavily on the bowlers to perform when it matters.