Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 17: Australia’s Pat Cummins will continue to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad for a third straight IPL season, with the franchise quietly confirming his captaincy through a photo-led announcement on its official X handle on Monday. Though the post carried no formal statement, the message was clear: SRH is sticking with the World Cup-winning skipper as they gear up for the 2026 edition.

Cummins, currently sidelined with a back injury, is set to miss the opening Ashes Test in Perth but is expected to return for the second Test in Brisbane on December 4. Steven Smith will stand in as Australia’s captain for the first match against England. Despite his brief absence, Sunrisers have reaffirmed full confidence in Cummins’ leadership.

The 31-year-old fast bowler took charge of SRH in 2024 after the franchise secured him for an eye-popping Rs 20.50 crore at the auction—one of the biggest bids in IPL history. His appointment followed Australia’s commanding performances on the world stage, including their World Test Championship win and the 2023 ODI World Cup triumph. Before moving to Hyderabad, Cummins had stints with Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals.

As SRH unveiled their retained core for IPL 2026, they stuck with the power-packed opening duo of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, whose blistering starts have been central to the team’s recent resurgence. The pair was key to SRH’s impressive 2024 campaign, which saw them finish as runners-up.

However, the franchise has also undertaken significant restructuring. Senior pacer Mohammed Shami has been traded to Lucknow Super Giants, while spinners Adam Zampa and Rahul Chahar have been released. The recalibration of the bowling unit reflects an intent to rebuild after a disappointing IPL 2025 season, where SRH finished sixth with six wins, seven defeats, and one no-result.

With Cummins still at the helm and a refreshed squad around him, Sunrisers Hyderabad will look to reclaim their momentum in the upcoming season.