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New Delhi: Ishan Kishan, who impressed everyone with both his bat and leadership in IPL 2026, is currently enjoying a remarkable run of form. After a stellar IPL season, the wicketkeeper-batter is now gearing up to don the Team India jersey for the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan. Meanwhile, major news has emerged from the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) camp — reports suggest that Ishan Kishan could be appointed as the full-time captain of SRH for IPL 2027.

The question now is — why would Hyderabad management consider handing over the captaincy to Ishan Kishan when they already have an experienced leader like Pat Cummins? The reason lies not in Cummins’ leadership abilities but in his increasing workload.

Pat Cummins hints at skipping IPL

Australia’s Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins recently revealed at an event that his top priorities next year will be the Ashes series and the ODI World Cup. Given the packed international calendar, the fast bowler indicated he might take a break from IPL duties.

In his statement, Cummins said, “Next year (2027), I may have to skip one tournament to manage my workload, and it certainly won’t be Test cricket or the ODI World Cup. If I play a full season in India, I’ll need rest before the Ashes. I’ll make the final decision keeping my fitness and injuries in mind.”

Why Ishan Kishan is the ideal choice for SRH captaincy

If Pat Cummins sits out next season, it will undoubtedly be a big setback for Hyderabad, but the franchise already has a strong replacement in Ishan Kishan. During IPL 2026, when Cummins was unavailable, Ishan led the team admirably and earned praise for his aggressive leadership style.

Ishan Kishan’s captaincy and batting record in IPL 2026

Under Ishan’s leadership, SRH played 8 matches, winning 5 and losing just 3. As captain, he also shone with the bat, scoring 312 runs in those 8 games. Overall, Ishan accumulated 602 runs in IPL 2026, reflecting his consistent form throughout the season.

Pat Cummins’ struggles in IPL 2026

Besides workload concerns, Pat Cummins had a below-par season in IPL 2026 with the ball. He managed only 8 wickets across the tournament and recorded an economy rate of over 11 runs per over. His performance in the eliminator against Rajasthan Royals was particularly disappointing, conceding 64 runs in his spell, which led to Hyderabad’s exit from the competition.

Given his dip in form and the demands of international cricket, it appears increasingly uncertain whether Pat Cummins will feature in IPL 2027. In such a scenario, Sunrisers Hyderabad are expected to hand full-time captaincy responsibilities to Ishan Kishan, marking a new chapter for the franchise.