SRH suffer another blow after 'Pat Cummins' jolt, 25-yr-old star ruled out of IPL 2026

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are grappling with a major injury crisis as they prepare for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. The franchise has been dealt a double blow with the news that captain Pat Cummins will miss the start of the tournament, while Australian all-rounder Jack Edwards has been ruled out of the entire campaign. These absences leave significant gaps in both the leadership and the tactical depth of the squad just as the competition kicks off.

SRH's Jack Edwards ruled out of IPL 2026

The situation surrounding Pat Cummins stems from a long-term lumbar bone stress injury in his lower back, which has kept him out of competitive cricket since the third Ashes Test in December 2025. This persistent injury previously forced him to sit out the remainder of the Ashes series and the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. In his stead, the franchise has appointed Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan to take over the captaincy duties.

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Adding to the team's frustrations is the loss of Jack Edwards, who was set to make his IPL debut after being signed for ₹3 crore at the last auction. Edwards, notably the only uncapped overseas player secured during the 2025 auction, has been sidelined by a foot injury that will prevent him from participating in the tournament entirely. His absence is a particularly tough break for SRH, as they had invested significantly in his potential as a breakout star for the season.

DC will also be missing their star pacer Mitchell Starc for the start of the IPL season on March 28. Starc has had a grueling 12 months, featuring in all five Ashes Tests and the final stages of the Big Bash League, leading to him bowling more deliveries in Test cricket than any other fast bowler in the past year. As a result, Cricket Australia is carefully managing his workload to ensure his long-term fitness.

Cricket Australia's cautious approach for Aussie players ahead of IPL 2026

The tournament officially kicks off in Bengaluru, where SRH will face the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). This high-stakes opener will see both teams navigating significant roster gaps due to the cautious approach taken by the Australian cricket board.

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Cricket Australia’s conservative strategy is driven by an intense upcoming schedule, with the Test side slated to play up to 21 matches over the next year, including tours of South Africa, India, and England, before defending their ODI World Cup title in late 2027. This management plan also impacts RCB, as Josh Hazlewood is set to miss the start of the season while recovering from hamstring and Achilles injuries that sidelined him for the entire Ashes series. The eventual return of Starc, Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins will depend on their successful completion of return-to-play protocols in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings have faced their own setback with the loss of Nathan Ellis. The pacer has been ruled out of the competition after failing to recover from a recurring hamstring injury originally sustained before the T20 World Cup.