Jaydev Unadkat Steps Up as Key Player for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026

Unadkat's Crucial Role in SRH's Lineup

Hyderabad (Telangana) - Sunrisers Hyderabad's head coach, Daniel Vettori, recently discussed the significant contribution of veteran bowler Jaydev Unadkat, especially with Pat Cummins sidelined due to a back injury. Vettori praised Unadkat as an "incredibly reliable bowler" and emphasized his importance as a "rock" for the team during Cummins' absence.

Currently, Pat Cummins, who serves as the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, is undergoing rehabilitation for his back injury and is missing the ongoing matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

In a pre-match press conference before SRH's clash with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Sunday, Vettori highlighted Unadkat's versatility, noting his ability to bowl effectively at various stages of the game, which is crucial given the high scoring in the tournament. He stated, "Even if he doesn’t start strong, we can rely on him during the middle and later overs. His extensive experience in the IPL makes him a dependable asset for us with Pat out."

Unadkat has showcased his skills in the two matches played by SRH thus far. In the opening match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he recorded figures of 1/29 in three overs. He followed this up with an impressive performance against Kolkata Knight Riders, taking three wickets for just 21 runs in three overs.

Vettori also mentioned that stand-in captain Ishan Kishan effectively utilizes Unadkat's skills in various capacities, commending his on-field performance and off-field insights. Unadkat's deep understanding of domestic players makes him an invaluable resource for teammates who may lack familiarity with them.

"Ishan employs him in numerous ways. Over the last ten games, he has been remarkably impressive. Off the field, he is a solid individual to consult about the game. His knowledge of domestic players across the country is beneficial, especially for those players the coaching staff may not have seen much of, making him a vital asset for us," Vettori added.

After a disappointing start to their IPL 2026 campaign, where they lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets, SRH rebounded strongly, defeating Kolkata Knight Riders by 65 runs at Eden Gardens.

The Sunrisers Hyderabad are set to face the Lucknow Super Giants in their third IPL 2026 match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on April 5.