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Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has officially appointed Ishan Kishan as their interim captain for the initial phase of the IPL 2026 season. This decision was necessitated by an injury sustained by the regular captain, Pat Cummins.
Key Reason for the Appointment
- Pat Cummins' Injury: Regular captain Pat Cummins is currently recovering from a 'lumbar stress' injury in his lower back. This same injury had previously ruled him out of the 2026 T20 World Cup and a significant portion of the Ashes series.
- Ruled Out of Early Matches: According to reports, Cummins is expected to miss the first three matches of the season. He is scheduled to join the team in Hyderabad on March 23 and will undergo rehabilitation under the supervision of the franchise's medical team.
Changes in the Leadership Team
- Ishan Kishan (Captain): Ishan Kishan will now take charge of the team until Pat Cummins returns. SRH acquired his services for ₹11.25 crore during the 2025 Mega Auction.
- Abhishek Sharma (Vice-Captain): The young, explosive batsman Abhishek Sharma has been appointed as the team's vice-captain for this interim period.
Ishan Kishan's Recent Form and Experience
- T20 World Cup Success: Kishan was a key architect of India's victory in the recently concluded 2026 T20 World Cup, where he amassed 317 runs across 9 matches.
- Domestic Captaincy: He recently led the Jharkhand team to their maiden title victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).
- Performance for SRH: In the 2025 season, he scored 354 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 152.58.
IPL 2026 Schedule (SRH)
Led by Ishan Kishan, SRH will kick off their campaign in Bengaluru:
| Match | Opponent | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | March 28, 2026 | Bengaluru |
| Match 2 | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | April 02, 2026 | Kolkata |
Key Fact: This will mark only the second instance in IPL history where all 10 teams begin the tournament under the leadership of Indian captains (until Cummins' return).
