Is Pat Cummins playing in IPL 2026 clash for SRH against RR in Hyderabad?
Pat Cummins' absence forced Sunrisers Hyderabad to make Ishan Kishan their stand-in captain for the Indian Premier League 2026 until the Aussie star returns to the field. SRH are facing Rajasthan Royals in their fifth match of the tournament.
Sunrisers Hyderabad host the hard-hitting Rajasthan Royals side in their fifth match of the Indian Premier League 2026 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Having blown hot and cold, SRH are missing their captain Pat Cummins, the bowler and the leader.
Cummins has not been part of the Sunrisers team ever since the start of the IPL 2026, as he has been nursing a back injury. He has not played a single game for SRH. The Australian ODI and Test captain travelled to India at the start of the IPL 2026, but was far from playing. He flew back home at the start of April for a final scan on his injured back.
RR win toss, opt to bowl first
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals won the toss and opted to bowl first. "We’ll be bowling first. A new wicket for us, first time it’s been used this season as well. So hopefully there’s a little bit of stickiness at the start," Parag said at the toss.
"We’ve chased down a lot of totals here. We fell short in 2024, so hopefully not the case this time. We’ve got two changes. Brijesh steps out and Tushar Deshpande comes in. Hetty gets a rest and Pretorius makes his debut. It’s been a journey. I was under (Sanju Samson) Bhaiya for the longest time, and then Sanga did really well in improving me with all the decisions and involved me in all the tactical and strategic meetings. Now I think I’ve taken the onus up. Had to make a lot of tough calls, but happy to be here," Parag added.
SRH make two changes
Meanwhile, SRH have also made two changes to the team that lost to Punjab Kings. "We’ve got two changes from the last game, Hinge coming in. I think I’ve been doing this for a long time. I was a leader in Under-19 India, I’ve been doing it for my state team, and I think it makes you more aware of the situation, more focused on the game," Kishan said at the toss.
"You look to do more for your team because it’s never about individual performance; it’s always about teamwork. So we have done it, and I think we’re doing it in a very good manner. I think obviously it makes a difference when you’re the captain of the team, and you’ve been doing well. It shows a lot of maturity that a player has a certain amount of growth in him now. So it did help me a bit in the last few years when I’ve been a leader of my side and done well for the team. It made me come back to the Indian side. So what else can you ask for?" he added.