The IPL is all set to begin in the coming weeks, with the inaugural match between defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Just before the start of the season, the Hyderabad team management surprised everyone by giving India’s young star batsman Ishan Kishan the captaincy for the 18th edition in the absence of 2023 World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins.
However, this decision was not taken casually. The management took note of Kishan’s current form and his promising return to international cricket after being selected as the replacement for India white-ball captain Shubman Gill due to injury. Kishan not only finished the T20 World Cup as the fourth-highest run-scorer, but also moved up to No. 2 in the ICC T20I batsman rankings after the tournament, scoring 317 runs in nine matches at an average of 35.22 and an impressive strike rate of 193.
Pat Cummins talks about Ishan Kishan’s captaincy skills
The powerful Australian captain will miss the first half of the IPL season due to a lower spinal injury he suffered during the last Ashes series, ruling him out of the first 5-6 matches of the 18th edition for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Although he has come to India to join the team and undergo rehabilitation, the franchise is taking a cautious approach to ensure that he is 100% fit for the latter stages of the tournament.
Speaking about Kishan, Cummins said on the Business of Sport podcast:
“Ishan had a really successful captaincy last year with his local team. There are a lot of local people coming into the team that I didn’t know before the season, and being the captain, Ishan will be able to communicate effectively and efficiently without any language barrier.”
Ishan Kishan as Captain
Ishan Kishan has already proved his leadership abilities in domestic cricket. He played a key role in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and scored 517 runs at an average of 57.44, including a century in 51 balls in the final, helping Jharkhand clinch their first tournament title. His performances established him as a brilliant captain-batsman who was capable of leading from the front.
How will Ishaan handle his new role?
After Kishan’s remarkable T20 World Cup campaign, fans already know about his batting ability and his composure under pressure in big matches. His new role as SRH captain will not only enhance his maturity but also deepen his understanding of the game. Kishan is often described as a natural leader who leads from the front, supports his bowlers’ plans, gives players freedom to express themselves and communicates with clarity.
With many young players in the team, it will be interesting to see how he utilizes everyone’s skills in the absence of Pat Cummins and leads Sunrisers Hyderabad to wins in the early part of the season.
Kishan was brought to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) from Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2024, and he made an immediate impact in his first season with the franchise. Last season, he played some match-winning innings, including his maiden century, for SRH, finishing the campaign with 354 runs in 14 matches. His consistent performances with the bat and his natural leadership abilities earned him the confidence of the team management.
For IPL 2026, SRH will rely heavily on Kishan’s leadership to guide a team that will blend young emerging talent with experienced campaigners. With the absence of Pat Cummins for the first half of the season due to injury, Kishan’s role as captain becomes even more important. He will be expected to not only lead from the front with the bat but also coach his bowlers strategically, manage the young players and maintain team morale.
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