SRH Strongest XI vs RR For IPL 2026, Match 36; Pat Cummins To Return

SRH Strongest XI vs RR For IPL 2026, Match 36. Credits- AP

Under Ishan Kishan's leadership, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have been doing decently well in their first six matches of the IPL 2026. For Match 36, regular skipper Pat Cummins will be available to lead the Orange Army, who will take on another batting heavyweights, Rajasthan Royals, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, on Saturday (April 25).

True to their image, SRH batted out the opposition in their last outing, as they thrashed Delhi Capitals. Abhishek Sharma hit a record century, blasting a 68-ball 135* vs DC. Around the southpaw, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen played timely cameos. As a result, they posted a mammoth 242/2 in their 20 overs.

After putting 242 runs on the board, the Hyderabad bowlers got the job done, with Eshan Malinga and Harsh Dubey taking the charge. Those two shared seven wickets between them, while Sakib Hussain also bowled well, showcasing that he has a big heart to bowl in the death overs.

Ahead of the Orange Army's next game, let us look at what the SRH Playing XI vs RR can look like.

SRH Playing XI vs RR, IPL 2026, Match 36

Top Order: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan

The way Abhishek Sharma batted in the last game, he will be the first name on the team sheet in the SRH Playing XI. The swashbuckling batter scored his ninth century in T20s, as he punished a top DC bowling. However, he will be challenged relatively more by the likes of Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger.

Although Travis Head is averaging 25.71 this season, the Aussie opener scored a blistering 37 in the last game. He will be their best option to counter Rajasthan's strong bowling.

IPL 2026 has been coming of the age for Ishan Kishan. The stand-in skipper has played a couple of fantastic knocks for SRH, and with no pressure of captaincy, he could contribute further in the SRH Playing XI vs RR.

Also Read: Fans Mock DC As Abhishek Sharma’s 135 Adds To Their Long List Of Released Superstars

Middle Order & All-Rounders: Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Salil Arora, Aniket Verma

If the Royals have Ravi Bishnoi and Ravindra Jadeja, then the Sunrisers have the most dangerous spin-hitter, Heinrich Klaasen, in their ranks. It is going to the first game in Jaipur, with little assistance to spinners, but just pray that Klaasen doesn’t get to bat in the second innings (if you are an RR fan).

Nitish Kumar Reddy is playing with a lot of responsibility this season. The all-rounder is not only bowling with the new ball, but also delivering with it. Although he was tonked across the park by Delhi, he will be a crucial part of the SRH Playing XI vs RR. With Pat Cummins coming back, Dilshan Madushanka will sit out, so Reddy might share the new ball with Sakib Hussain. Also, you can't ever discount his batting.

Hyderabad have the likes of Salil Arora and Aniket Verma in their camp. Not many teams will play two lesser-known finishers together, but this SRH team is a beast side. These two batters have it in them that they can even anchor an innings and demolish bowlers in the last couple of overs.

Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Shivang Kumar, Sakib Hussain, Eshan Malinga

Breaking News Flash: Pat Cummins is BACK! The SRH skipper, who changed the gameplay for them, is expected to feature in the SRH Playing XI for the first time in the upcoming game. The speedster will make them a stronger bowling unit. Plus, the Australian captain loves leading the Orange Army from the front.

The two other seamers in the SRH Playing XI vs RR, apart from Cummins, are going to be Eshan Malinga and Sakib Hussain. The Sri Lankan has been the most consistent bowler for the Sunrisers this season, while Hussain needs no introduction. Although Praful Hinge had a debut of dreams, the Bihar Express will get a nod over the Jharkhand seamer (just like Sakib did against DC).

The spin twins, Shivang Kumar and Harsh Dubey, are hunting in pairs for SRH. The two left-arm tweakers are pure wicket-takers, plus they contribute highly with the bat. Both Dubey and Kumar will enjoy their match-ups in the RR batting. Either Harsh Dubey or Sakib Hussain will be the Impact Player in the SRH Playing XI vs RR.

SRH Playing XI vs RR- Match 36, IPL 2026

Abhishek Sharma
Travis Head
Ishan Kishan
Heinrich Klaasen
Nitish Kumar Reddy
Salil Arora (wk)
Aniket Verma
Pat Cummins (c)
Shivang Kumar
Sakib Hussain
Eshan Malinga