'Bowling basically every third day...': Pat Cummins issues clarification on IPL 2026 comeback

Sunrisers Hyderabad regular skipper Pat Cummins, who is currently on the road to recovery from a back injury, will miss the initial stage of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In his absence, the franchise appointed Ishan Kishan as a stand-in captain.

When will Pat Cummins feature in IPL 2026?

Ahead of the 19th edition of the cash-rich league, Cummins opened up about his comeback, saying that he is planning to feature in the middle of the tournament.

ALSO READ: Mumbai Indians warned against repeating ‘Rohit Sharma’ captaincy mistake

“I’m still recovering from a back injury, but it’s good. I’m back bowling in the nets. The IPL is starting soon. I won’t make the start of that, but it shouldn’t be too long before I’m back out there playing. I’m back bowling. I’m bowling basically every third day at the moment. We’ve mapped out a plan to get me right by middle of the tournament, so hopefully, if nothing goes wrong, I’ll play the back half plus the finals,” Cummins said in the Business of Sport podcast.

Ishan was rewarded with the captaincy following a memorable batting show in the recently concluded T20 World Cup. Before that, the stylish wicketkeeper batter led Jharkhand to their maiden domestic title in December 2025. He also emerged as the highest run getter in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, amassing 517 runs in 10 innings.

ALSO READ: KKR pick India's BGT winner as Harshit's replacement; GT bring in Khejroliya

“Ishan’s had a really successful captaincy stint with his local side in the last year or so,” Cummins said of his SRH teammate.

Sunrisers Hyderabad will start their campaign against the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening match of the 2026 IPL on March 28.