Pat Cummins Returns: SRH Captain Set to Face RR in IPL 2025
Synopsis
Pat Cummins ends his injury-enforced absence and returns to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on April 26. After clearing a fitness test, the Australian Test captain praised stand-in skipper Ishan Kishan and SRH's young pacers, while admitting he has been 'itching' to play after watching seven matches from the sidelines.
Key Takeaways
Pat Cummins cleared his fitness test on Friday, April 25 and will return to lead SRH against Rajasthan Royals at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur on April 26, 2025 .
Cummins had been sidelined with a back injury and flew to Australia for scans after SRH's win over KKR on April 2 , missing all seven of their IPL 2025 games so far.
Stand-in captain Ishan Kishan led SRH to four wins from seven matches , placing them fourth on the points table with eight points and a net run rate of +0.820 .
Cummins humorously noted that Kishan was "absolutely terrible" at tosses but "excellent" in all other aspects of captaincy.
The 32-year-old Australian Test captain praised SRH's young bowling attack for adapting quickly to IPL conditions and sequencing variations brilliantly.
Cummins will reclaim the captaincy from Ishan Kishan for the eighth match of SRH's IPL 2025 campaign against RR .
Jaipur, April 25: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) skipper Pat Cummins is set to make his long-awaited return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 after clearing a fitness test on Friday, as the side gears up to face Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their eighth league match at the iconic Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur on Saturday, April 26. The Australian Test captain had been sidelined with a back injury and flew home to Australia for scans shortly after SRH's thrilling victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 2. His return marks a significant boost for a Hyderabad outfit that has been punching above its weight in his absence.
Cummins Eager to Return After Watching from the Sidelines
Speaking in a video released by SRH on X (formerly Twitter), the 32-year-old all-rounder made no secret of his eagerness to get back on the field. "I feel excited. I feel like I've watched too much cricket lately without playing, so I'm itching to get out there. Yeah, stinging to get out there," Cummins said, capturing the frustration of a competitor forced to watch from the dugout.
Cummins arrived in India ahead of the current IPL season but was unable to feature in any match before flying back to Australia for a back scan. The fitness clearance on Friday has now paved the way for him to reclaim the captaincy from stand-in skipper Ishan Kishan.
Praise for Stand-In Captain Ishan Kishan
Despite his eagerness to return, Cummins was generous in his praise for Ishan Kishan, who has led SRH in all seven matches during the captain's absence. "Boys have been on fire. It's been great to watch, so hopefully I can add something. I think for the most part, Ishan was good. I think when it comes to tosses, he was absolutely terrible. But outside of that, he was excellent," Cummins said with a laugh.
He further acknowledged Kishan's tactical acumen and the role played by Abhishek Sharma on the field. "He's obviously a great thinker of the game. And alongside Abhishek out there as well, they've been running it, and it looks pretty smooth. So yeah, when I'm out there, I'm sure I'll be leaning on those guys as well. But yeah, well done, Ishan — he's been awesome," he added.
Under Kishan's leadership, SRH won four out of seven matches, accumulating eight points and sitting at fourth place on the IPL 2025 points table with a healthy net run rate of +0.820.
SRH's Young Pacers Impress the Captain
Cummins also spoke at length about the challenges fast bowlers face in the high-octane IPL environment, while expressing admiration for the way SRH's young bowling attack has handled the pressure. "IPL is a very tough place for fast bowlers, but I thought all our guys have been exceptional. A few of the young guys have come in," he said.
He highlighted how quickly the youngsters have adapted to the unique demands of T20 cricket at the highest level. "I've certainly found it really hard to find the pace of IPL. Those guys look like they've hit it straight away. They've got the feel of the game. They're sequencing their variations brilliantly so far. They already look like complete players," Cummins noted, adding that while perfection every game is not guaranteed, the start has been exceptional.
SRH vs RR: What's at Stake at Sawai Mansingh Stadium
The match against Rajasthan Royals at Sawai Mansingh Stadium carries significant weight for both franchises as the tournament enters its crucial middle phase. SRH, bolstered by Cummins' return, will look to consolidate their position in the top four, while RR will be keen to exploit any early-match rustiness from the returning captain.
Notably, Cummins has been one of the most impactful overseas captains in recent IPL history, having led SRH to the IPL 2024 final where they finished as runners-up after a record-breaking season that saw them post some of the highest totals in the tournament's history. His leadership and ability to take key wickets with the new ball will be critical in Jaipur's spin-friendly conditions.
This comeback also raises broader questions about workload management for international cricketers juggling Test commitments and franchise cricket — a debate that has intensified across cricket boards globally. Cummins, as Australia's Test captain, represents the sharp end of that needle.
With the IPL 2025 playoff race tightening, all eyes will be on whether Cummins can immediately make an impact and propel SRH into the top two. The Jaipur clash on Saturday evening promises to be a compelling contest between two well-matched sides.
Point of View
Where franchise loyalties and national duties pull elite players in opposite directions. The fact that SRH performed creditably without him actually strengthens the case for investing in deep squads rather than over-relying on marquee overseas names. Yet Cummins' leadership pedigree — he took SRH to the 2024 final — means his presence changes the psychological equation for both his team and opponents. The real story here is whether Indian cricket's most glamorous league is finally producing home-grown leaders like Ishan Kishan who can hold their own when the big names are absent.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Pat Cummins returning to play for SRH in IPL 2025?
Pat Cummins is returning to play for Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 26, 2025, against Rajasthan Royals at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. He cleared his fitness test on Friday, April 25, after recovering from a back injury.
Why was Pat Cummins absent from SRH's earlier IPL 2025 matches?
Pat Cummins was absent due to a back injury that required him to fly back to Australia for scans after SRH's win over KKR on April 2. He missed the first seven matches of SRH's IPL 2025 campaign as a result.
Who captained SRH in Pat Cummins' absence?
Ishan Kishan served as stand-in captain for Sunrisers Hyderabad during Cummins' absence. Under his leadership, SRH won four out of seven matches and are currently fourth on the IPL 2025 points table with eight points.
What is SRH's current standing in the IPL 2025 points table?
Sunrisers Hyderabad are placed fourth on the IPL 2025 points table with eight points from seven matches. They have a positive net run rate of +0.820 heading into their match against Rajasthan Royals.
What did Pat Cummins say about SRH's young bowlers in IPL 2025?
Cummins praised SRH's young pacers, saying they have adapted brilliantly to IPL conditions and are sequencing their variations exceptionally well. He noted that the IPL is a tough environment for fast bowlers but said the young guns already look like 'complete players'.
