Sunrisers Hyderabad Appoints Ishan Kishan as Interim Captain for IPL 2026
Sunrisers Hyderabad announced Wednesday that wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan will serve as the interim captain for the 2026 Indian Premier League season. Abhishek Sharma will take on the vice-captaincy role while regular skipper Pat Cummins rehabilitates from an injury.
Leadership Changes for SRH
The franchise confirmed the temporary leadership restructuring through its official communication channels. Pat Cummins is scheduled to miss the opening phase of the tournament to complete his medical recovery. To maintain stability, SRH management designated Kishan and Sharma to lead the squad until the Australian fast bowler receives medical clearance.
- Captain: Ishan Kishan (Interim)
- Vice-Captain: Abhishek Sharma
- Absentee: Pat Cummins (Injury recovery)
Kishan’s IPL Career and 2025 Performance
Kishan joined Sunrisers Hyderabad during the 2025 mega auction for Rs 11.25 crore. In his debut season with the team, he scored 354 runs in 14 matches, achieving a strike rate of 152.58 and registering both a century and a half-century.
Across his complete IPL career, Kishan has consistently provided aggressive top-order run production. Behind the stumps, he has secured 59 catches and executed five stumpings.
| Category | Career Statistics |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 119 |
| Innings | 112 |
| Total Runs | 2,998 |
| Batting Average | 29.10 |
| Strike Rate | 137.64 |
| Boundaries (Fours/Sixes) | 288 / 134 |
For complete historical match data, refer to the official IPL statistics platform.
International Momentum
The 27-year-old enters the IPL season following a highly productive T20 World Cup campaign with the Indian national team. Operating initially as an opener before shifting to the No. 3 position to accommodate the roster, Kishan finished as India’s second-highest run-scorer in the tournament.
- Runs: 317 in nine innings
- Average: 35.22
- Strike Rate: 193.00+
His performance on the global stage reinforced his credentials as a frontline leader for SRH. Fans and analysts can follow ongoing squad updates through the Board of Control for Cricket in India and official team announcements.