Pat Cummins Set to Return for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026
Cummins' Comeback Announcement
Pacer Pat Cummins of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has indicated his potential return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) during the upcoming match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Saturday in Jaipur.
Recent scans on his back have cleared Cummins to rejoin the IPL 2026, providing a significant boost to SRH as the tournament approaches a critical juncture.
Injury Background
Earlier this month, Cummins traveled back to Australia for follow-up evaluations regarding a lumbar stress injury that has limited his participation since July of the previous year. This injury caused him to miss four out of five home Ashes Tests and the entire ICC T20 World Cup. Consequently, he has also missed half of the IPL season, with Ishan Kishan stepping in as captain during his absence.
Social Media Update
On Instagram, Cummins shared images of himself bowling in the nets, expressing his eagerness to return with the caption, "Been a long time coming, stinging to get back into it tomorrow."
SRH's Performance Without Cummins
Despite Cummins' absence, SRH has performed admirably this season, securing four victories and suffering three defeats, currently placing them fourth in the points table.
Key Players Contributing to SRH's Success
Although the pace duo of Harshal Patel and Jaydev Unadkat struggled initially, the pace attack has been bolstered by Eshan Malinga (12 wickets), Sakib Hussain (six wickets), and Praful Hinge (five wickets). Additionally, Harsh Dubey (eight wickets) and Shivang Kumar (five wickets) have made significant contributions in the spin department. In terms of batting, Abhishek Sharma has scored 323 runs in seven innings at an average of 53.83 and a strike rate of 215.33, including one century and two fifties. Heinrich Klaasen has also been impressive with 320 runs at an average of 53.33 and a strike rate of 153.11, featuring three fifties, while skipper Ishan has contributed 238 runs at an average of 34.00 and a strike rate of 188.88.
Cummins' Record with SRH
Since taking over as captain in the 2024 season, Cummins has claimed 34 wickets in 30 matches for SRH, maintaining an average of 29.88, with his best bowling figures being 3/19. He is also known for his ability to deliver explosive performances with the bat lower down the order.