Pat Cummins has been managing a back issue since last year, which has significantly impacted his playing schedule. As the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Cummins has played only one competitive match since July 2022, raising concerns among fans and team officials alike.
In a recent update, Cummins confirmed that he is recovering from his injury but will miss the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, which kicks off this Saturday. “I’m still recovering from a back injury, but it’s good. I’m back bowling in the nets,” Cummins stated. He added, “I won’t make the start of that, but it shouldn’t be too long before I’m back out there playing.”
Despite the setback, Cummins is optimistic about his recovery timeline. He has outlined a plan to return to the field by the middle of the tournament, with hopes of participating in the latter half and potentially the finals. “We’ve mapped out a plan to get me right by (the) middle of the tournament, so hopefully, if nothing goes wrong, (I will) play the back half plus the finals,” he explained.
In Cummins’ absence, Ishan Kishan has been appointed as the interim captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kishan’s recent success in captaincy with his local side has garnered positive reactions, with Cummins noting, “Ishan’s had a really successful captaincy stint with his local side in the last year or so.” This transition aims to maintain team morale and performance as they navigate the early stages of the IPL.
As the season approaches, observers are keenly watching Cummins’ recovery process. He is currently bowling in the nets every third day, a sign of progress that may lead to his return sooner than expected. However, the uncertainty surrounding his full recovery remains a topic of discussion among fans and analysts.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact timeline of Cummins’ return, but his commitment to recovery is evident. The cricket community is hopeful that he will be back on the field, contributing to Sunrisers Hyderabad’s quest for their first IPL title since 2016.
