At a glance
- Ishan Kishan captaincy debate in IPL 2026
- Sanjay Bangar backs Kishan over Pat Cummins
- SRH leadership call after Cummins injury return
A strong endorsement has emerged for Ishan Kishan to continue leading Sunrisers Hyderabad even with the anticipated return of Pat Cummins, adding an intriguing dimension to the leadership debate in the Indian Premier League 2026 season.
Former India all-rounder Sanjay Bangar has thrown his weight behind the young wicketkeeper-batter, citing composure and sharp tactical instincts as key reasons for maintaining continuity at the helm.
Ishan Kishan Should Continue Captaining SRH Says Bangar
Kishan has guided Hyderabad with assurance in Cummins’ absence, steering the side to four wins in seven matches and lifting them to third place in the standings.
His captaincy has been marked by clarity in decision-making and a calm presence that has translated into consistent performances on the field.
Bangar, speaking on Star Sports, highlighted Kishan’s tactical acumen, particularly in his use of bowlers in pressure situations:
“Ishan Kishan as a leader is tactically very good in terms of how he uses his bowlers. He understands which bowlers to use against which batters.”
He also pointed to the young captain’s composure, noting that Kishan has managed to control the tempo of matches without appearing hurried or reactive.
Cummins Return Poses Selection Dilemma For SRH
Cummins, who returned to Australia earlier this month for further assessment of a lumbar stress injury, is now closing in on a comeback.
Medical scans in Sydney have cleared the Australian quick, with a return likely when Hyderabad face Rajasthan on April 25. The fast bowler has also indicated that he will soon rejoin the squad in India.
Despite the prospect of Cummins’ return, Bangar believes Hyderabad would benefit from stability in leadership. Speaking on the same broadcast, he made a strong case for continuity:
“The way he used his spinners against DC was impressive. All in all, I believe that even if Pat Cummins comes back, Ishan Kishan should continue captaining SRH. More often than not, having an Indian captain brings consistency.
You cannot be sure about how fit a bowler of Pat Cummins’ calibre will stay throughout the rest of IPL 2026, considering the niggles he’s been dealing with. Ishan continuing with the leadership duties gives a lot of continuity to the players. That would be the way to go for Hyderabad.”
Dominant Win Strengthens Kishan’s Case
Hyderabad’s recent emphatic win over Delhi Capitals further strengthened Kishan’s case. A commanding all-round display saw them secure a 47-run victory, highlighted by a breathtaking unbeaten 135 off 68 balls from Abhishek Sharma.
The left-hander struck 10 sixes to power the team to a formidable 242/2 in 20 overs, with Heinrich Klaasen providing rapid support with a 37 off 13 balls.
Delhi mounted a brief challenge through Nitish Rana who scored 57 and KL Rahul who added 37, but Hyderabad’s bowlers kept a firm grip on proceedings.
Eshan Malinga delivered a decisive spell of 4/32, while Harsh Dubey chipped in with late wickets to close out the innings as Delhi were bowled out well short of the target.
With results aligning and confidence growing, Hyderabad now face a pleasant dilemma. Whether they revert to Cummins or persist with Kishan, the franchise appears to have found a leadership core capable of driving a serious title push.
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