New Delhi, March 16 (NationPress) The competition is heating up as India’s left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma and wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan vie to take the helm of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for the early matches of their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. This comes as regular captain Pat Cummins is sidelined due to a back injury recovery process.

SRH, champions of IPL 2016, is set to kick off their IPL 2026 journey against the reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28. Cummins has been out of competitive action since the third Ashes Test in Adelaide in December 2025, following a lumbar bone stress injury sustained during the West Indies tour.

He was subsequently ruled out of the concluding matches of the Ashes and the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup due to this persistent issue. Reports indicate that both Abhishek and Ishan, who contributed to India’s success at the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, are strong contenders to lead SRH in Cummins' absence.

Ishan, who joined the SRH lineup in 2025, previously captained Jharkhand to secure the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title in the latest domestic season, showcasing his leadership credentials. Meanwhile, Abhishek has been a key player for SRH since joining before IPL 2019, establishing a dynamic opening partnership with Australia’s Travis Head. Kishan’s impressive performance, including three fifties during India’s T20 World Cup victory, and Abhishek's explosive half-century in the final—achieved in just 18 balls—underscore their readiness for leadership.

“Pat Cummins is on the road to recovery but must first clear fitness assessments before rejoining the squad. He is eager to play, but until he passes the tests, the management is deliberating on whether Ishan or Abhishek will helm the team,” said a source close to the situation.

“If everything progresses positively, the interim SRH captain will participate in the IPL 2026 captains' and managers’ meeting on March 25 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. A traditional photoshoot involving all ten captains and the tournament trophy will also take place,” the source added.

If Abhishek is appointed as SRH’s captain, it will mark his debut as a leader in the IPL, a similar scenario for Kishan should he be selected. However, Cummins' absence during the initial matches poses a significant setback for SRH, depriving them of both their captain and their top bowler, especially since the bowling department is already seen as a weaker link, despite boasting a formidable batting lineup.

In addition to Cummins, SRH’s bowling arsenal includes pace bowlers Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, Brydon Carse, Eshan Malinga, and Shivam Mavi, along with spinners Harsh Dubey and Zeeshan Ansari. They also feature all-rounders like Nitish Kumar Reddy, known for his gentle seam deliveries, and Liam Livingstone, who is adept in both off-spin and leg-spin bowling.

Uncapped bowling talents include Shivang Kumar, Krains Fuletra, Jack Edwards, Sakib Hussain, Onkar Tarmale, Amit Kumar, and Praful Hinge. Following their 2024 success as runners-up, SRH struggled throughout the 2025 season, finishing sixth in the points table.