Ishan Kishan has been appointed interim captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for the early stages of the Indian Premier League 2026 season, with regular skipper Pat Cummins sidelined due to a lumbar stress injury.

Cummins, who missed the recent ICC Men's T20 World Cup due to the same back issue, is still recovering and is expected to sit out at least the opening matches of the IPL campaign. Although he is likely to join the squad in Hyderabad on March 23 after receiving clearance from Cricket Australia, there is no confirmed date for his return to competitive action.

This will be the first time Kishan leads an IPL franchise. The dynamic wicketkeeper-batter earned the opportunity following his impressive performances both domestically and internationally.

SRH have also named Abhishek Sharma as vice-captain, forming a young Indian leadership core for the initial phase of the tournament.

Kishan heads into the season in exceptional form. After being signed for INR 11.25 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, he delivered a strong debut season with SRH, scoring 354 runs at a strike rate of over 150, including a century on debut.

His resurgence continued on the international stage, where he played a key role in India national cricket team’s triumph in the 2026 T20 World Cup. He amassed 532 runs in 13 T20Is this year at a stunning strike rate above 200, including crucial performances in high-pressure matches.

Kishan also led Jharkhand cricket team to victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, finishing as the tournament’s top run-scorer, further strengthening his leadership credentials.

Abhishek Sharma, who will serve as deputy, also contributed to India’s World Cup success and adds balance to the leadership group. The duo notably scored half-centuries in the final against New Zealand national cricket team in Ahmedabad.

SRH will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28.

Interestingly, this season will initially see all ten IPL teams led by Indian captains until Cummins returns to take charge of SRH.

Kishan’s appointment marks a significant moment in his career, offering him a platform to showcase his leadership skills at the highest franchise level.

With SRH aiming for a strong start to the season, all eyes will be on how Kishan handles the pressure and whether he can guide the team successfully until Cummins makes his comeback.