Pat Cummins returned to captain Sunrisers Hyderabad in their Indian Premier League 2026 clash against Rajasthan Royals on Saturday, marking his comeback after recovering from a lumbar bone stress injury.
With Cummins back in action, Ishan Kishan, who had been leading the team in his absence, did not step out for the toss. Kishan had captained SRH in seven matches earlier this season while Cummins remained sidelined due to his back injury.
Following his recovery, Cummins resumed full captaincy duties, while Kishan retained his place in the playing XI purely as a player.
SRH Opt To Bowl First After Winning Toss In Jaipur
After returning to the field, Cummins won the toss and chose to bowl first against Rajasthan Royals in Match 36 of IPL 2026 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Speaking at the toss, Cummins expressed confidence about his fitness and readiness to compete after his break from competitive cricket.
“We’re going to have a bowl first. The wicket looks good, but we have to see what we need to chase down. It’s been a little while, but I’ve had really good preparation and a couple of bowls here. I haven’t played a game for a while, so we’ll see how we go. But the body feels awesome,” Cummins said.
He also confirmed changes in the lineup, stating that he replaced Dilshan Madushanka, while Praful Hinge came into the side in place of Harsh Dubey.
Rajasthan Royals Ready To Defend Total At Home Venue
On the opposing side, Riyan Parag, leading Rajasthan Royals, admitted that his team would also have preferred to bowl first but remained comfortable setting a target.
“We were looking for the same as well, but having said that, over the last couple of seasons, we haven’t really done well chasing. So I’m happy with defending as well,” Parag said.
He highlighted the team’s familiarity with the home conditions, noting that Rajasthan Royals had spent considerable time training at the Jaipur venue since the beginning of the season.
Parag also mentioned the possibility of dew later in the evening but suggested it was unlikely to significantly affect the game.
“We’ve played most of our cricket here and know this wicket really well. It seems like a pretty good wicket. Maybe a little bit of dew later, but it won’t really play that much of a role,” he added.
Ishan Kishan’s Leadership Role Ends With Cummins’ Return
During Cummins’ absence, Ishan Kishan stepped up as stand-in captain and guided Sunrisers Hyderabad through the opening phase of IPL 2026. His leadership stint covered seven matches, helping maintain stability within the squad while the regular captain recovered.
Cummins had missed the first half of the season while undergoing recovery and rehabilitation for a lumbar bone stress injury in his back. With his return now confirmed, SRH regain their first-choice captain as the team looks to improve its standing in the tournament.