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Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain Pat Cummins has emphasised that his team is sharply focused on refining their bowling strategies and learning from past missteps as they prepare for Wednesday evening's high-stakes IPL 2026 Eliminator against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in New Chandigarh.
Pat Cummins has a plan in place for counter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Speaking to JioStar ahead of the knockout clash, Cummins acknowledged the immense challenge of containing Rajasthan's explosive lineup. In particular, he highlighted the threat of 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who previously dismantled the Sunrisers' bowling attack with a stunning century during their league-stage encounter in Jaipur.
"It's always a balance as a bowler, understanding what you do well and how you're going to bowl to your strengths. But when there are one or two players in every lineup who can take the game away, you do spend a little longer working on a Plan B or Plan C. We'll plan for him. Even though he got a hundred against us last time, I thought there were times we actually bowled quite well to him and kept him quiet. At other times, he got away. So we'll learn from that," Cummins said.
The Australia skipper further emphasised that the team's primary focus remains on maintaining consistency in their own execution, rather than overcomplicating their tactics for individual opposition batters. By prioritizing a disciplined and cohesive bowling performance, the squad aims to stick to their core strengths rather than getting bogged down by over-analysis.
"We'll try to stick to our strengths and make small adjustments where needed. It's about executing better in key moments," he added.
We feel very lucky he's in our middle order: Cummins on Heinrich Klaasen
Furthermore, Cummins highly praised middle-order powerhouse Heinrich Klaasen for his spectacular form this season, hailing him as a truly decisive factor in the Sunrisers Hyderabad campaign. The captain's commendation is well-backed by the numbers, as Klaasen has emerged as the third-highest run-scorer in the ongoing tournament.
Across 14 matches, the dynamic right-handed batter has amassed an impressive 606 runs, anchoring the middle order with a stellar average of 50.50. His consistency has been a major driving force for the team, highlighted by the six half-centuries he has delivered so far in their playoff push.
"He's a very, very good player. Always has been, and he's gone to another level this year. Some of his knocks in Chennai on a really tough wicket, and even the last game against RCB, have been incredible. He can step in and change the tempo of a game. We feel very lucky he's in our middle order. He's been a big reason for our success," Cummins concluded.
The winner of the Eliminator will secure a coveted spot in Qualifier Two, where they are scheduled to square off against formidable Gujarat Titans. The ultimate prize waiting at the end of this playoff gauntlet is a ticket to the grand finale. Whoever successfully navigates these next hurdles will earn the right to challenge the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), for the ultimate silverware.
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