In a significant move for the Indian Premier League (IPL), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has officially revealed that star Australian all-rounder Pat Cummins will continue as their captain for the 2026 season. The confirmation came shortly after the November 15 retention deadline, extending Cummins’ leadership role with the 2016 title winners into a third year.
Cummins took the reins as SRH captain in IPL 2024, a season that saw him lead the team to the final, where they finished as runners-up. Despite the team not replicating that success in 2025, ending the season in sixth place, the SRH management has demonstrated strong faith in Cummins’ leadership capabilities, his wealth of international experience, and his steady cricketing temperament.
The franchise announced its decision on captaincy via its social media channels, indicating that Cummins will helm the side as they prepare for the 2026 mini auction. With the captaincy settled, SRH’s strategic planning will now center on building a competitive squad around Cummins’ leadership style and the retained core players. The list of retained players includes key figures like Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Heinrich Klaasen, as well as promising talents such as Ishan Kishan and Nitish Kumar Reddy. The retention of experienced Indian bowlers like Harshal Patel and Jaydev Unadkat signals SRH’s intention to create a more balanced and consistent unit for the next IPL season.