Team India’s left-handed batsman, Ishan Kishan, is now on the verge of captaining Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2026.
It remains unclear at this stage when Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins will rejoin the team.
According to information obtained by TOI, the SRH management held discussions regarding this matter, and Kishan was deemed the most suitable candidate for the captaincy role.
Ishan Kishan is currently enjoying the most brilliant phase of his career. The 27-year-old Kishan delivered a stellar performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where he won the hearts of the entire nation—first as a top-order batsman for Team India, and subsequently while batting at the No. 3 position.
Kishan’s Explosive Record in IPL 2026
Kishan has played 119 matches across three franchises in the IPL, scoring 2,998 runs in 112 innings. He boasts an average of 29.10 and a strike rate of 137.64. His record includes 1 century, 17 half-centuries, 288 fours, and 134 sixes. Behind the stumps, he has also effected 59 catches and 5 stumpings.
In the previous IPL 2025 season—when he was acquired in the auction for ₹11.25 crore—he scored 354 runs in 14 matches, recording a strike rate of 152.58, which included one century.
In the T20 World Cup 2026, Kishan finished as India’s second-highest run-scorer, amassing 317 runs across 9 innings with a strike rate exceeding 193. During this campaign, he also notched up three half-centuries, one of which came in the final match.
Following the victory, Kishan remarked: “Our team won; obviously, that is a very good thing—not just for us, but for the entire nation. We hope to continue playing cricket in this manner and keep winning.” He further added: “It feels great because I believe the better I perform, the more motivation it will be for the young kids here who want to grow. I always try to ensure as many players as possible emerge from every corner. Now that we’ve played the World Cup, it shows that with hard work, you can succeed from anywhere.”
Future Goals and Captaincy Responsibility
Ishan Kishan also shared his future goals: “Nothing much, just keep scoring runs, keep playing, and keep winning.”
Captaining SRH in IPL 2026 brings new challenges for him. In the absence of Pat Cummins, Kishan will have to firmly lead the team and pave the franchise’s path to the playoffs.
With his batting and wicketkeeping skills, it will be interesting to see how far Kishan can take SRH this season.
This year’s IPL 2026 is not just about personal performance for Kishan, but also an opportunity to take the team to new heights.
