Pat Cummins to lead SRH for third consecutive IPL season

Australian fast-bowling stalwart Pat Cummins has been confirmed as the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for the third consecutive Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The franchise shared the announcement on its official social media handle with a series of striking photographs, though further details about the upcoming campaign were not revealed.

Cummins, one of the most feared pacers in world cricket, recently suffered a back injury and has been officially ruled out of Australia’s first Ashes Test against England in Perth, which begins November 21. Steven Smith will captain Australia in that match. Cummins is expected to recover in time for the second Test in Brisbane starting December 4, providing a boost for the visitors.

The 27-year-old Cummins took over SRH’s captaincy from South African Aiden Markram in 2024 after being bought for a whopping Rs 20.50 crore in the IPL 2024 auction, following his stellar performances in the World Test Championship and the 2023 50-over World Cup. Before joining SRH, he had stints with Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals, establishing himself as a dependable all-format performer in the IPL.

Under Cummins’ leadership, SRH aims to build a competitive unit around its core players and emerging talents. His combination of international experience, tactical acumen, and bowling prowess is expected to be crucial in guiding the team through a challenging IPL season. Fans will be watching closely to see how Cummins balances his leadership responsibilities with his on-field contributions.