IPL 2026: Sunrisers Hyderabad get Double Boost; Pat Cummins Return nears, Sri Lanka player replaces injured Carse

Sunrisers Hyderabad have got a huge boost as their captain Pat Cummins is set to rejoin the side shortly, as per reports.

Pat Cummins, Australia's Test and ODI skipper, will undergo a fitness evaluation on Wednesday to assess his recovery from a back injury sustained since July 2025, which sidelined him from the T20 World Cup and limited him to one Ashes Test.

Franchise sources express optimism that he will secure clearance and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Cricket Australia, paving the way for his return. If that happens, the Australian will have the clearance to join SRH this week.

Pat Cummins' Anticipated Return Timeline

If approved, Cummins is slated to arrive in Hyderabad by April 17, potentially making him available for SRH's home clash against Chennai Super Kings on April 18. He had joined the squad pre-season on March 27 but departed on April 4 post their win over Kolkata Knight Riders for final scans.

His reintegration would strengthen a pace unit that has faltered in defending totals amid batting-dominant oppositions, despite recent heroics from domestic talents like Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, who each claimed four wickets in a 57-run triumph over Rajasthan Royals.

SRH, with two wins from five outings under stand-in leadership, desperately needs his all-round prowess and command. Cummins himself targeted a mid-tournament return, noting steady bowling progress every third day ahead of the IPL's latter stages.

Dilshan Madushanka replaces Brydon Carse

Apart from that, Sunrisers Hyderabad have named Sri Lankan pacer Dilshan Madushanka as the injury replacement for Brydon Carse. The English all-rounder sustained a hand injury during net batting sessions before SRH's IPL 2026 opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Madushanka, known for his left-arm swing, bolsters the pace attack amid captain Pat Cummins' ongoing fitness recovery.