IPL 2026: Ishan Kishan named SRH captain in Pat Cummins' absence
India Today
IPL 2026: Wicketkeeper batter Ishan Kishan has been named the captain of SunRisers Hyderabad in the absence of Pat Cummins, who is set to miss the first few IPL games for the franchise. Kishan's promotion comes in the backdrop of his sensational outing in the T20 World Cup 2026.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have elevated Ishan Kishan to the role of stand-in captain ahead of the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League, the franchise announced on Wednesday, March 18. The team confirmed that regular skipper Pat Cummins will miss the first few games of the tournament due to a lower back injury.
While Kishan has been handed the captaincy, swashbuckling opener Abhishek Sharma has been named vice-captain. Kishan’s elevation comes on the back of a sensational T20 World Cup 2026, where he amassed 317 runs at a strike rate of 193. He was a key presence in the powerplay, even as Abhishek endured a lean run for most of the tournament.
Despite 2026 being Kishan’s second season with the team, the top-order batter has been entrusted with a leadership role. The decision could stem from his recent captaincy success with Jharkhand in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he led the side to the title last season.
This marks a significant turnaround for Kishan, who had fallen out of favour with the Indian national team towards the end of 2022 and was subsequently dropped from the central contract after opting out of domestic cricket for a period.
After time away from the game, Kishan ensured that the break did not stall his growth. The wicketkeeper-batter developed into a leader worth watching, guiding Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title in 2025. Kishan raked in a massive 517 runs in only 10 matches at a staggering strike-rate of 197. He was the top-scorer of the tournament.
In the final against Haryana, Kishan led from the front. Opening the innings, he smashed a hundred off just 49 balls, setting up a commanding 69-run victory and underlining his value beyond his role behind the stumps.
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