Indian national cricket team wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the opening matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season as regular skipper Pat Cummins set to miss the opening matches while recovering from injury, the franchise confirmed on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Abhishek Sharma will serve as vice-captain until Cummins returns.

“Pat Cummins will miss a few games while recovering from injury. Until he recovers, Ishan Kishan will be the captain and Abhishek Sharma will be the vice-captain,” the franchise said in a statement posted on social media.

Kishan has been in impressive form in 2026. The left-handed batter made a notable return to the Indian team ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and emerged as one of the side’s most consistent performers with 319 runs during the tournament. The 26-year-old has also shown leadership experience in domestic cricket, guiding Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title in 2025.

Kishan has scored 2,998 runs in 119 matches across three franchises, including Sunrisers Hyderabad. He has registered those runs at an average of 29.10 and a strike rate of 137.64, with one century and 17 half-centuries. His tally also includes 288 fours and 134 sixes. Behind the stumps, Kishan has contributed with 59 catches and five stumpings.

The Hyderabad-based franchise will start the 2026 campaign against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28, 2026. The team will then travel to face Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata on April 2.