IPL 2026: Ishan Kishan likely to lead SRH

New Delhi: Sunrisers Hyderabad are poised to hand the captaincy to explosive wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan for the 2026 Indian Premier League season, with regular skipper Pat Cummins yet to confirm his availability, TimesofIndia.com has learned. In the event Cummins is unavailable, the 27-year-old India international will take the armband and be supported by vice-captain Abhishek Sharma.

Kishan’s elevation comes on the back of a spectacular T20 World Cup 2026 campaign in which he finished as India’s second-highest run-scorer, amassing 317 runs in nine innings at an average of 35.22 and a strike rate in excess of 193. His three fifties included a decisive knock in the final that helped India clinch the trophy. “Our team won, obviously, it is a very good thing, not only for us, but for the whole nation,” Kishan said after the triumph. “We hope to continue playing cricket like this and keep winning.”

The Jharkhand left-hander has long been one of the IPL’s most feared openers. Across 119 matches for three franchises, including SRH, he has compiled 2,998 runs at 29.10 with a strike rate of 137.64, featuring one century and 17 fifties. His boundary count—288 fours and 134 sixes—underscores an attacking mindset that has become his hallmark. Behind the stumps, he has accounted for 64 dismissals (59 catches, five stumpings).

In his first season with Sunrisers after being acquired for Rs 11.25 crore at the 2025 auction, Kishan smashed 354 runs in 14 games at a strike rate of 152.58, including a century and a fifty. The franchise now sees him as the natural choice to steer the side should Cummins’ arrival be delayed.

Speaking about his immediate goals, Kishan kept the focus simple: “Nothing much, just keep scoring runs, keep playing, and keep winning.” With SRH set to open their campaign in early April, all eyes will be on whether the pocket-sized dynamo can translate his international form into franchise success while donning the captain’s hat.