Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has officially confirmed that Australian cricket icon Pat Cummins will continue to lead the franchise as captain for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This strategic announcement was made following the November 15 retention deadline, marking the third consecutive year Cummins will captain the 2016 IPL champions.
Cummins’ tenure as SRH captain began in IPL 2024, where he inspired the team to an impressive runner-up finish in the final. His leadership qualities were evident throughout the campaign, guiding the team effectively. While the 2025 season did not yield the same level of success, with SRH finishing sixth in the standings, the franchise’s management has clearly backed Cummins’ leadership, drawing on his extensive experience and composed style of play.
The franchise made the captaincy confirmation public through its official social media accounts, assuring fans that Cummins will be their on-field leader heading into the 2026 mini auction. With this key decision settled, SRH’s management is now poised to focus on constructing a formidable squad around Cummins’ tactical blueprint and the core players they’ve decided to retain. Key retentions include Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Heinrich Klaasen, alongside promising Indian talents like Ishan Kishan and Nitish Kumar Reddy. The inclusion of experienced players like Harshal Patel and Jaydev Unadkat suggests a strategy aimed at bolstering the team’s depth and consistency for the upcoming season.