Cricket
SRH IPL 2026 Preview: Power-Packed Batting Faces Bowling Test Without Cummins
Sunrisers Hyderabad enter IPL 2026 with explosive batting, but Cummins’ absence leaves their bowling exposed. Can Ishan Kishan’s leadership propel SRH into the playoffs?
DE
Dumtika Editorial
March 19, 2026 · 2 min read
(Image: Dumtika Editorial)
Ten days before the IPL 2026 begins, Sunrisers Hyderabad find themselves with a mix of hope and concern: a batting lineup brimming with explosive talent, but a bowling attack set to start without its leader, Pat Cummins. After finishing sixth last season with six wins, seven losses, and one no result, SRH now look to break into the playoffs, but must first address familiar vulnerabilities.
The batting order is the heart of SRH’s optimism. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, who dominated IPL 2024 with a partnership that rattled opponents, are set to open again. Abhishek’s 2024 campaign saw him score 484 runs at a strike rate above 204, launching 42 sixes the most ever by an Indian in a single IPL season. His recent T20 World Cup form was sensational, smashing a record-fast 18-ball fifty in the final as India overpowered New Zealand by 96 runs for their third T20 World Cup crown.
Stepping into the leadership role, Ishan Kishan has been confirmed as interim captain with Abhishek Sharma as vice-captain, filling in for Cummins who is sidelined by a back injury. Kishan’s credentials shine: he led Jharkhand to a domestic trophy, tallied 317 runs as India’s second-highest scorer at the T20 World Cup, and announced his arrival last season with a blistering 45-ball century for SRH. The middle order is anchored by Heinrich Klaasen, a fearsome striker against spin, while Nitish Kumar Reddy and Liam Livingstone add all-round depth. Youngster Aniket Verma, bought for ₹30 lakh, impressed in his debut, and Kamindu Mendis of Sri Lanka strengthens the backup bench.
But the bowling remains unproven in the absence of Cummins. Brydon Carse and Eshan Malinga are options for pace, but neither matches Cummins’ authority. The experienced Harshal Patel, twice a Purple Cap winner, and left-armer Jaydev Unadkat will need to lead the attack. Harsh Dubey is the primary spin option, while coach Daniel Vettori faces choices over the overseas combination, likely balancing Head, Klaasen, Livingstone, and a rotating fourth slot between Carse or Mendis until Cummins returns.
SRH’s campaign starts against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28. It will be a stern test for their reworked bowling and new captaincy. If Kishan’s leadership gels and the bowlers step up, SRH’s batting power gives them a real shot at the top. If not, they risk another year of dazzling hitting but missed opportunities a pattern the 2016 champions are desperate to break.
