As of the 19th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 approach, the spotlight has shifted towards the Orange Army. Since its establishment in 2013, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) This is a franchise defined by its bowling-first DNA and ability to produce clinical output despite sometimes conservative leadership. with the patience of david warner for the strategic peace of kane williamsonThe team has achieved varying degrees of success in different eras. However, the 2026 season brings a fresh story.
Ishan Kishan will lead SRH for the first two matches in the absence of Pat Cummins
In a significant development, the franchise has confirmed India’s explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan Sunrisers will be headed to Hyderabad for the opening matches of the season. This appointment has been made as regular captain pat cummins He continues rehabilitation for a lower back stress injury sustained during the Australian summer. Cummins, who led SRH to the final in 2024, is expected to join the squad later in the tournament.
Kishan, who was bought by SRH for ₹11.25 crore, enters the role at the peak of his powers. a sensational refresh t20 world cup 2026 campaign where he scored 317 runs at a strike rate of 193.29 and led Jharkhand to their mother’s house Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Kishan, along with his deputy, represent a more aggressive, modern era of the SRH leadership after winning the title in 2025. Abhishek Sharma.
List of all captains of Sunrisers Hyderabad till date
The captaincy at Sunrisers Hyderabad has often been a revolving door, reflecting the franchise’s search for the right balance between foreign stars and Indian mainstays. The journey began in 2013 with a dual captaincy approach and reached its peak in 2016 under Warner’s leadership.
- Kumar Sangakkara (2013)
The great Sri Lankan was the first to take up the reins. Although his tactical acumen has never been in doubt, his individual form has struggled in the shortest format. In 9 matches, he led the team to 4 wins while maintaining a 44.44%-win rate. Eventually, he famously left out the playing eleven in order to create better balance in the team.
- Cameron White (2013)
taking over mid-season Kumar Sangakkara, cameron white Provided a brief but effective spark. In 8 games under his leadership, the team won 5 with a 62.5% win percentage. He played a key role in taking SRH to the playoffs in its first season.
- Shikhar Dhawan (2013-2014)
To bring an Indian face to the leadership, ‘Gabbar’ was given the captaincy. However, the additional responsibility was taking a toll on his natural nature. In 16 matches, the team achieved 7 wins, resulting in a win rate of 43.75%. He eventually left the role to concentrate on his batting.
- Darren Sammy (2014)
The two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain brought a Caribbean atmosphere to the camp. His tenure was short – only 4 matches – resulting in a 2–2 record (50%-win rate).
- David Warner(2015–2021)
Statistically and emotionally, Warner is the greatest captain in SRH history. He led the team in 67 matches, winning 35 of them. His biggest achievement was the 2016 IPL title. With a win percentage of 53.73% and three Orange Caps during his tenure, Warner’s legacy is synonymous with the golden era of the franchise.
Also read: 3 reasons why Kavya Maran’s SRH should appoint Ishan Kishan as captain in Pat Cummins’ absence
- Kane Williamson(2018–2022)
When Warner was unavailable, kane williamson Stepped in with a ‘Captain Cool’ demeanor. He led the team to the 2018 finals and maintained a win percentage of 48.91% in 46 games. His tactical brilliance often compensated for the lack of raw pace in the SRH armoury.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2019–2023)
Experienced Swing King Bhuvneshwar Kumar Served as a reliable stand-in in several seasons. He achieved 2 wins in 8 matches as captain. While his individual talent remained, the team often struggled to find rhythm under his temporary leadership (25%-win rate).
- Manish Pandey and Aiden Markram (2021-2023)
Manish Pandey While led to a single game (loss) aiden markram Take charge in 2023 after leading Sunrisers Eastern Cape For a title in SA20. Markram led in 13 games but found the IPL tough, securing only 4 wins (30.76%).
- Pat Cummins (2024)
Cummins’ transition in 2024 has transformed SRH into a record-breaking batting powerhouse. Cummins brought a fearless Australian mentality, leading the team to the 2024 finals and maintaining a win rate of 51.72% in 30 matches. His absence in early 2026 creates a unique void.
- Ishan Kishan (2025)
Kishan’s temporary promotion is more than just a stop-gap; This is a test for the future. As the No. 2 ranked T20I batsman in the world, Kishan’s captaincy style is expected to be ‘ultra-aggressive’. For a team that has only recently started posting 250+ scores with regularity, Kishan’s tendency to attack with the first ball matches perfectly with the current SRH philosophy.
It remains to be seen whether he can maintain the tactical discipline required to navigate the middle overs, but with 24 wins in 29 T20s as a captain domestically, the numbers suggest he is ready for the big stage.
Also read: IPL: Complete list of all captains of Rajasthan Royals (RR) till date. Riyan Parag and Sanju Samson
