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The Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 tournament is nearing its conclusion. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who had a stop-start tournament, winning five consecutive matches, before meeting Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), were on a roll as they lost against the Knights, ending their winning momentum. However, Pat Cummins’ team won against Punjab Kings (PBKS).
Ishan Kishan was captaining the team at the time when they had their best time, winning four consecutive matches, before their regular captain Pat Cummins returned to the side after a long back injury. After Cummins’ return, the team looks more balanced, and he won Player of the Match against PBKS in the last game.
So these boys are flying – Pat Cummins on SRH bowlers
Ahead of SRH’s next game against Gujarat Titans (GT), Cummins has lauded the team’s performance and the real reason behind SRH’s IPL 2026 dominance. He believes that the Orange Army’s youthful pace attack has led their winning momentum this season.
Pat Cummins said, “So these boys have been performing brilliantly all season. I think you are lucky today that you have got the smartest guys in the team, fast bowlers, and I think these guys are a lot of the reasons, you know, why we are at the top of the table.”
Video | Hyderabad, Telangana: “Our fast bowlers are the reason we are at the top of the table,” says SRH captain Pat Cummins.
(Full video available at https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/ubYC7HFU2H
– Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) 9 May 2026
“So I love it. Hyderabad has been very good to me. It’s easy to take care of the players. Everyone knows what they want to do there, so it’s easy for me to be nice and calm and yes, just let the guys shine because they’re all superstars.”
SRH is on top of the table
Pat Cummins’s side currently top the table with 14 points from 11 matches, and their equation for playoff qualification is simple: a win in their last three matches brings them to 16 points, which is probably enough to make the top four, especially with their positive NRR (+0.737).
Even two losses could hurt them if other results go their way, but they should aim for at least one win to achieve early qualification. A clean sweep of their last three matches will put them in the race for the top two. They will face Titans followed by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and then Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
SRH qualification scenario
Out of the last three matches, two of the Orange Army’s matches are away from home, which will be a matter of concern for the team. The team was on a break, as skipper Pat Cummins visited the new facility along with teammates Prafulla Hinge and Saqib Hussain for the inauguration of Apollo Hospital on Thursday.
This was the inauguration of the sports injuries and orthopedics facility at its Financial District unit in Hyderabad. Earlier, Pat Cummins was handed a record-breaking central contract from Cricket Australia (CA). Signed a new deal worth AUD 4 million per year (approximately Rs 27.2 crore per year).
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