Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) head coach Daniel Vettori has provided a positive update on the captain pat cummins beyond them ipl 2026 opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore On Saturday, March 28. While Cummins is likely to miss the opening matches, there is growing optimism within the camp regarding his recovery.
The Australian all-rounder has been sidelined with a groin strain injury, but recent developments suggest he is making good progress and could make a comeback sooner than expected.
Daniel Vettori gives encouraging fitness update on Pat Cummins
Speaking ahead of the start of the season, Vettori revealed that Cummins has already joined the squad in India and is working hard behind the scenes to regain full match fitness.
The SRH coach praised the dedication shown by Cummins during his time away from competitive cricket, highlighting that the break allowed him to focus heavily on improving his overall fitness and conditioning.
Vettori said that although Cummins is now fit, the team is taking a cautious approach when it comes to increasing his bowling workload. He described the process as gradual and “painstaking” as the fast bowler rebuilds rhythm and confidence after a long layoff.
The franchise is expected to get a clear picture of their return timeline within the next 10-12 days, with a return likely sometime in April.
Cummins likely to miss opening matches of IPL 2026
Cummins’ absence means he will miss the initial phase of IPL 2026, including the high-profile clash against RCB. However, the injury is not considered serious, and the management is focusing on ensuring that he returns fully fit rather than recalling him.
For SRH, this cautious approach is important, as Cummins is important not only as a strike bowler but also as a leader of the team. Fans can take solace in the fact that his recovery is on track and he is unlikely to be out for long.
Also read: Pat Cummins reveals when he will be available to play for SRH in IPL 2026
Ishan Kishan will lead SRH in Cummins’ absence
Wicketkeeper-batsman in Cummins’ absence Ishan Kishan has been appointed as the stand-in captain for the early part of the tournament Abhishek Sharma Serving as vice-captain.
Vettori supported the decision, praising Kishan’s experience and energetic approach to leadership. He expressed confidence that the young Indian star can handle the pressure of leading the team, especially in big opening games.
Interestingly, Cummins himself had earlier endorsed Kishan’s leadership abilities, which gave more confidence to the team’s decision.
With their regular captain unavailable, Sunrisers Hyderabad will be aiming to make a positive start to IPL 2026 under Kishan. The focus of team management is on balancing immediate performance with the long-term fitness of the player.
Cummins’ return will be carefully managed to avoid any risk of re-injury, ensuring he is fully ready to contribute when he returns.
Also read: RCB vs SRH, IPL 2026: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Pitch Report and Bengaluru Weather Forecast