Pat Cummins Leaves SRH In Middle Of IPL 2026

Pat Cummins [Source: AFP]In a significant development, Australian great Pat Cummins has left the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad amid IPL 2026. Cummins missed the first two matches for SRH due to a recurring back injury, which also ruled him out of the T20 World Cup earlier this year. In the absence of Pat Cummins, swashbuckling batter Ishan Kishan was appointed the SRH captain for the initial phase of IPL 2026. Under his leadership, the Sunrisers lost their season opener against RCB before bouncing back with a valiant win over Kolkata Knight Riders. As the Sunrisers gear up for their third group-stage encounter, their regular captain Pat Cummins has left the squad and returned to Australia. Pat Cummins returns to Australia amid IPL 2026It's worth mentioning that Australia's Test captain Pat Cummins has been struggling with a back injury for quite a while now. He missed four matches in The Ashes 2025-26, while also being sidelined from the T20 World Cup. Earlier, Cummins revealed that he would be out for at least the first half of the IPL 2026. Speaking to Business of Sports podcast, Cummins had said, "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 [the] middle of the tournament."Also read: SRH Players Who Can Take IPL Retirement After 2026 SeasonAs SRH get ready to take on LSG, the Australian speedster has left the camp and returned to his home country. According to ESPNCricinfo, Cummins has flown back to Australia to undergo a final scan, set to be conducted by Cricket Australia, in order to receive fitness clearance for the IPL 2026. The right-arm pacer left the SRH squad and flew back to Australia after the conclusion of his team's second group-stage match against KKR. Led by Ishan Kishan, the Sunrisers registered a remarkable win over the Knight Riders, opening their account in the IPL 2026 points table. After his team defeated KKR by 65 runs, Cummins took a return flight to Australia for a final scan on his injured back and the scan result will determine his fate in the ongoing IPL season. When will Pat Cummins rejoin SRH IPL 2026 squad?The ESPNCricinfo report revealed that Pat Cummins might rejoin the SRH IPL 2026 squad on April 17 only if he receives a fitness clearance from Cricket Australia. In his absence, Ishan Kishan will continue to lead the Sunrisers Hyderabad, with Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Eshan Malinga and one between David Payne and Liam Livingstone likely to play as their overseas players. Cummins has missed plenty of cricket due to a lumbar bone stress injury, which he sustained during Australia's tour of West Indies in 2025. He could play a single Ashes Test Down Under, with Steve Smith captaining Australia in the remaining matches against arch-rivals England. How have SRH performed in IPL 2026 so far?In the absence of their regular skipper, SRH have blown hot and cold in the IPL 2026 so far. The Orange Army have managed one win in two matches, claiming sixth position with two points. They will take on Lucknow Super Giants on April 5 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad. Also read: Shreyas Iyer Achieves What MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma Couldn't In The IPL