Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Has been one of the biggest success stories of the recent IPL cycle. Under the leadership of pat cumminsSRH transformed themselves from among the lowest finishers in the league into the most ruthless, boundary-hitting unit. His ultra-aggressive brand of cricket, with both bat and ball, not only delivered results but also reshaped the team’s identity. However, as the franchise looks forward to IPL 2026, one important question looms large: what if Cummins is unavailable?
Cummins is currently struggling with a back injury. while continuing The Ashes 2025-26The Australian captain played only one Test, missing the first two matches and then opting out of the final two after the third game to protect his long-term fitness. Given Australia’s busy international calendar and Cummins’ importance across all formats, SRH cannot afford to be caught unprepared.
Why does SRH need a strong contingency plan?
Replacing Cummins doesn’t just mean finding another foreign fast bowler. His importance for SRH was much more than wickets. Cummins brings calm leadership, tactical clarity and a relentless edge that perfectly complements SRH’s fearless batting lineup. If he misses IPL 2026, the void will be as much psychological as it is tactical.
Luckily for the Orange Army, the unsold pool from the IPL 2026 auction offers a number of high-quality options. These players may not be exact replicas of Cummins, but they can help SRH maintain the attacking blueprint that has defined their resurgence.
SRH may sign 3 players to replace Pat Cummins for IPL 2026
1) Gerald Coetzee
If SRH wants to retain the “fear factor” added by Cummins to their pace attack, Gerald Coetzee Turns out to be the most natural fit. One of the surprises of the 2026 auction was that despite his proven impact at the international level, Coetzee remained unsold at his base price of ₹2 crore.
Why SRH should sign him: Coetzee reflects the current SRH culture perfectly. He bowls aggressively, remains confrontational and bowls powerful lengths which puts the batsmen on the back foot. Like Cummins, he brings visible intensity that lifts the entire bowling unit.
replacement value: At a young age, Coetzee offers long-term returns. He is also not cumbersome with the bat, capable of hitting some big blows at No. 8 – a trait SRH highly value in Cummins during tight matches.
Also read: IPL 2026: RCB may sign 3 players to replace Josh Hazlewood if he misses out
2) Alzarri Joseph
Another prominent name to find success in the 2026 auction was Alzarri JosephWith the franchise being poor for foreign players, Joseph did not find any takers, but for SRH, he could be a strategic goldmine,
Why SRH should sign him: Cummins’ biggest weapon was his ability to take advantage of bounce, especially on true surfaces. Joseph presents those same qualities in abundance. With consistent express pace above 145 kmph, he can terrorize the top order and set the tempo early on.
Strategic Fit: SRH plays half of its matches in Hyderabad, where bounce could be the deciding factor. With explosive batsmen like Travis Head at the top, the team needs a bowler who can create immediate pressure. Joseph, who still holds the record for the best bowling figures in IPL history, fits that role perfectly.
3) Daryl Mitchell
While pace is an obvious area of concern, SRH could also look to turn to Cummins’ leadership presence rather than his raw skill set. in that respect, darryl mitchell Emerging as an interesting option. Despite remaining unsold for ₹2 crore, Mitchell brings immense tactical depth.
Why he fits: With Liam Livingstone already part of the SRH setup for 2026, Mitchell adds balance rather than brute force. He is one of the best players of spin in world cricket and serves as a steady bridge between SRH’s explosive openers and power-hitters.
The ‘Moose’ Factor: Mitchell’s street-smart cricketing brain can partially compensate for Cummins’ absence. His medium pace variations are effective on slower tracks, giving SRH flexibility when the express pace is varied.
