IPL 2026 Shock: Sunrisers Hyderabad Captain Pat Cummins Likely to Miss Start of Tournament

Hyderabad: As teams prepare for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, cricket fans are eagerly counting days for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. However, Telugu cricket fans have received a major shock ahead of the new season. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) skipper Pat Cummins may not be available at the start of IPL 2026, which begins on March 26, due to a back injury.

Pat Cummins Injury Update Ahead of IPL 2026

Pat Cummins has already been ruled out of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 because of a back issue. Speaking about his recovery, the SRH captain made it clear that his IPL participation will depend entirely on his fitness.

“I can’t say anything at the moment. I need to undergo another scan. Based on the results, the treatment will continue. Whether I will play in the IPL or not depends on how well my spine recovers,” Cummins said.

This statement has raised serious concerns among Sunrisers Hyderabad supporters, who were hoping to see their captain lead the side from the first match of IPL 2026.

Will Pat Cummins Play in IPL 2026?

Despite the uncertainty, Pat Cummins remains optimistic about his recovery.

• Cummins is confident of being fully fit by the end of March
• Cricket Australia will allow him to play only if he is completely recovered
• A final decision is expected next month after fresh medical scans

This means Sunrisers Hyderabad may have to wait until the last moment to confirm Cummins’ availability for the opening phase of IPL 2026.

Big Concern for Sunrisers Hyderabad Fans

For Sunrisers Hyderabad, Pat Cummins is not just a captain but a key match-winner. His possible absence at the start of the season could affect the team’s balance, especially in crucial early matches of IPL 2026.

Fans are now keenly watching medical updates, hoping that the SRH skipper makes a timely comeback.

Sunrisers Hyderabad Probable Squad for IPL 2026

Even as Pat Cummins’ availability remains uncertain, SRH still boasts a strong squad:

• Pat Cummins (Captain)
• Travis Head
• Abhishek Sharma
• Aniket Verma
• Smron Ravichandran
• Ishan Kishan
• Heinrich Klaasen
• Nitish Kumar Reddy
• Harsh Dube
• Kamindu Mendis
• Harshal Patel
• Brydon Carse
• Jaydev Unadkat
• Shivam Mavi
• Liam Livingstone
• Jack Edwards
• Others

What This Means for IPL 2026

With IPL 2026 starting immediately after the T20 World Cup, player workload and injuries have become a major concern. Pat Cummins’ situation highlights how tightly packed the international and league calendar has become.

As of now, Sunrisers Hyderabad fans will have to wait until next month to know whether their captain will be fit in time to feature from the start of IPL 2026.

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