Who Will Lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026? The Battle Between Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan!

With Pat Cummins recovering from a back injury, Sunrisers Hyderabad faces a crucial decision regarding their captaincy for IPL 2026. Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan are the leading candidates to take charge in his absence. As the team prepares to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their opening match, the leadership dynamics could significantly impact their performance. Both players have shown impressive credentials, with Kishan recently leading Jharkhand to a trophy win and Abhishek being a consistent performer for SRH. This article explores the implications of Cummins' absence and the potential leadership of Sharma or Kishan.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 17, 2026, 13:38 IST

Leadership Dilemma for Sunrisers Hyderabad

New Delhi: With regular captain Pat Cummins sidelined due to a back injury, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are considering either Abhishek Sharma or Ishan Kishan to take the helm for their opening matches in the IPL 2026 season.

The IPL 2016 champions are set to kick off their campaign against the reigning champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28. Cummins has been out of competitive action since the third Ashes Test in December 2025, following a lumbar bone stress injury sustained during the West Indies tour.

Due to this injury, he missed the remaining Ashes matches and the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Reports suggest that both Abhishek and Ishan, who were part of the victorious Indian squad in the T20 World Cup, are in contention to lead SRH in Cummins' absence.

Kishan, who joined SRH in the 2025 IPL season, has proven his leadership skills by guiding Jharkhand to victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy recently, making him a strong candidate for captaincy.

Abhishek, a key player for SRH since 2019, has formed a dynamic opening partnership with Australia’s Travis Head. Kishan showcased his form by scoring three fifties during India's T20 World Cup triumph, while Abhishek made headlines with a blistering half-century off just 18 balls in the final, contributing to India's 96-run victory.

"Pat Cummins is on the mend, but he needs to pass his fitness tests before rejoining the team. He is eager to play, but the team management is still deliberating whether Ishan or Abhishek will lead in his absence," a source close to the situation revealed.

"If everything goes smoothly, the interim captain will attend the IPL 2026 captains and managers meeting on March 25 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where a photoshoot with all ten captains and the tournament trophy will take place."

Should Abhishek be appointed captain, it would mark his first leadership role in the IPL, a scenario that would also apply to Kishan. However, Cummins' absence is a significant setback for SRH, depriving them of their captain and a key bowler in a department that is already seen as a weakness, despite boasting a formidable batting lineup.

In addition to Cummins, SRH's bowling attack features pacers Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, Brydon Carse, Eshan Malinga, and Shivam Mavi, along with spinners Harsh Dubey and Zeeshan Ansari. They also have all-rounders like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Liam Livingstone, who can bowl both off-spin and leg-spin.

Uncapped bowling prospects include Shivang Kumar, Krains Fuletra, Jack Edwards, Sakib Hussain, Onkar Tarmale, Amit Kumar, and Praful Hinge. After a strong performance in 2024, where they finished as runners-up, SRH struggled in 2025, ending up in sixth place on the points table.