Sanjay Bangar Advocates for Ishan Kishan's Continued Captaincy at SRH

In the ongoing IPL 2026 season, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar has praised Ishan Kishan's leadership skills, suggesting he should continue as captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad even after Pat Cummins returns from injury. Cummins, who has been recovering from a lumbar stress injury, is expected to rejoin the team soon. SRH recently secured a significant victory over Delhi Capitals, showcasing their strong performance. Read on to discover more about Kishan's tactical approach and the team's dynamics.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 22, 2026, 11:38 IST

Kishan's Leadership Praised by Former Cricketer

Sanjay Bangar, a former cricketer for India, has commended Ishan Kishan's capabilities as a leader, asserting that the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain has demonstrated impressive tactical insight. He believes Kishan should maintain his leadership role even after the anticipated return of regular captain Pat Cummins during the ongoing IPL 2026 season.

Update on Pat Cummins' Injury and Expected Return

Earlier this month, Cummins returned to Australia for follow-up evaluations regarding a lumbar stress injury that has limited his play since July of the previous year. Reports indicate that scans conducted in Sydney have confirmed the injury's healing, allowing him to return to competitive cricket. Cummins aims to make his comeback on April 25, when SRH is set to compete against the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur. He has hinted on social media that he will soon be flying back to India to rejoin his team.

Bangar Endorses Kishan's Leadership Skills

While Cummins has been sidelined, Ishan Kishan has taken the helm for SRH in the IPL 2026 season. Bangar has praised Kishan's leadership, highlighting his clear thinking and composed decision-making, especially regarding bowler management during matches. He stated, "Ishan Kishan is tactically astute in how he utilizes his bowlers, understanding which bowlers to deploy against specific batters."

Bangar expressed his belief that Kishan should continue as captain even when Cummins is fit again, emphasizing that having an Indian captain often leads to greater consistency. He noted, "The way he managed his spinners against DC was commendable. I believe that Ishan should keep leading SRH, as we cannot guarantee Cummins' fitness throughout the IPL 2026 due to his ongoing issues. Kishan's leadership provides essential continuity for the team."

SRH's Impressive Victory Over DC

In a recent IPL match, SRH showcased a commanding performance, defeating DC by 47 runs. Abhishek Sharma was the standout player, scoring an impressive 135 runs off 68 balls, including 10 sixes, leading his team to a formidable total of 242/2 after being put in to bat. Heinrich Klaasen also contributed significantly with a quickfire 37 runs off just 13 balls.

In response, DC attempted to mount a challenge with contributions from Nitish Rana (57) and KL Rahul (37), but their efforts were thwarted by consistent wickets. The match's turning point was marked by Eshan Malinga's double strike, who ended with figures of 4/32, while Harsh Dubey added to the pressure with crucial wickets, ultimately leading to DC's collapse.