Punjab Newsline,Sports:
Abhishek Sharma named vice-captain; Pat Cummins to miss games until fully fit
Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have taken a major decision for their opening matches. The franchise has appointed young wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan as the captain for the initial games. This decision comes in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins, who is currently recovering from an injury.
The franchise shared this update on Wednesday through a post on social media platform X. The team management clarified that Kishan will lead the side until Cummins regains full fitness. Meanwhile, promising young star Abhishek Sharma has been named the vice-captain, forming a new leadership group for the team.
SRH will begin their IPL 2026 campaign on March 28 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The match will be played at Bengaluru’s home ground, where the team will aim to start the season strongly under new leadership.
For Ishan Kishan, this opportunity could prove to be a turning point in his career. Known for his aggressive batting and sharp wicketkeeping skills, Kishan will now be seen leading an IPL side for the first time. The team management is hopeful that his energy and attacking mindset will bring a fresh approach to the team’s performance.
On the other hand, appointing Abhishek Sharma as vice-captain is also seen as a move for the future. Over the past few seasons, he has played a key role in the team with his batting and all-round abilities.
All eyes will now be on how SRH performs under Ishan Kishan’s captaincy and whether he can guide the team to success in the opening matches of the season.