Ishan Kishan Takes the Helm as Sunrisers Hyderabad Captain for IPL 2026
Ishan Kishan Steps Up as Captain
With regular captain Pat Cummins sidelined due to a back injury, Sunrisers Hyderabad has appointed Ishan Kishan as the interim captain for the initial matches of IPL 2026. His captaincy debut will commence with the season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28.
Kishan's selection comes after his stellar performance in the T20 World Cup, where he was the second-highest run-scorer for India, amassing 317 runs, including three half-centuries, with an average of 35.22 and a remarkable strike rate of 193.92 across nine matches.
This marks the first time Kishan will lead in the IPL, showcasing the team's confidence in his leadership abilities and recent form. He will be supported by Abhishek Sharma as vice-captain during this period.
Insights from Daniel Vettori on Kishan's Leadership Role
Ahead of the match against RCB, SRH head coach Daniel Vettori elaborated on the rationale behind appointing Kishan as captain in Cummins' absence. He praised Kishan's previous leadership success, particularly his role in leading Jharkhand to their first Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy victory.
Vettori noted the strong rapport between Kishan and Sharma, emphasizing that their familiarity with each other and the team would be instrumental in guiding SRH effectively this season.
"Ishan has been part of the IPL for a significant time and has played for various teams, achieving considerable success, which instills confidence in the squad," Vettori remarked.
"His experience leading the U19 team and his state side, coupled with their recent trophy win, positions him as a confident leader with the right attributes for this role."
Kishan's Impressive Captaincy Track Record
Ishan Kishan boasts an impressive T20 captaincy record, having won 24 out of 29 matches. His notable achievement includes leading Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he scored 517 runs, including two centuries and two fifties, averaging 57.44 over ten matches.
Vettori further highlighted Kishan's inclusion in the SRH leadership group last season, noting that his presence brought energy and maturity to the team, making him a natural choice to lead in Cummins' absence.
"His leadership during the latter part of last season, especially after taking over wicketkeeping duties, significantly energized the team and contributed to our success," Vettori added.
Kishan's Journey with Sunrisers Hyderabad
Acquired for INR 11.25 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction after being released by the Mumbai Indians, Kishan had a mixed season last year, scoring 354 runs, including a century and a fifty, with an average of 35.40 and a strike rate of 152.58 in 14 matches.
The upcoming IPL 2026 season presents a vital opportunity for Kishan to establish his leadership credentials at the highest level while aiming to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad successfully in Cummins' absence and maintain consistent batting performance.