Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has taken a significant call ahead of the IPL 2026 season. With captain Pat Cummins set to miss the initial matches due to injury, the franchise has handed the leadership responsibility to Ishan Kishan.

Ishan Kishan has been appointed stand-in captain and will lead SRH in the opening matches of the season. The wicketkeeper-batter, who played a key role in India’s T20 World Cup campaign, now steps into a leadership role at the franchise level.

Vice-captain Abhishek Sharma

Young all-rounder Abhishek Sharma has been named vice-captain, underlining SRH’s push towards building a new-generation leadership group. The franchise confirmed, “Pat Cummins will not be able to play a few matches while recovering from injury. Until he returns, Ishan Kishan will be the captain and Abhishek Sharma will be the vice-captain.”

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Franchise places big trust

SRH had acquired Ishan Kishan last season for around ₹11.25 crore. While his performance was moderate: 354 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 152.58, including one century and one half-century- the decision to hand him captaincy reflects the franchise’s strong belief in his potential.

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Notably, Kishan had been out of the national team for nearly two years before making a comeback through consistent performances in domestic cricket. Under his leadership, Jharkhand won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he also emerged as the tournament’s best player.

His form earned him a place in India’s T20 World Cup squad, where he made a strong impact, scoring 317 runs and registering a crucial half-century in the final. With this upward trajectory, SRH has now entrusted him with a bigger role at the IPL level.