Patna: Sunrisers Hyderabad have named Bihar-born wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan as their interim captain for the start of the 2026 Indian Premier League season, following an injury to regular captain Pat Cummins.
Cummins’ absence has opened the door for Kishan, who recently played a decisive role in India’s triumph at the 2026 T20 World Cup. His performances with the national side and a strong showing in domestic cricket, including leading Jharkhand to their first Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title, have cemented his reputation as both a batsman and a leader.
Abhishek Sharma has been appointed vice-captain, a move the franchise says is intended to inject youthful energy and maintain stability during the opening matches. The captaincy will revert to Cummins once he returns to full fitness, but until then, Kishan will lead the team both on and off the field.
Kishan’s elevation to captaincy has been hailed as a proud moment for Bihar, inspiring young cricketers across the state. Analysts say it underscores the growing impact of players from non-traditional cricketing regions in the IPL.
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s squad for IPL 2026 includes Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma, R Smaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kamindu Mendis, Harsh Dubey, Harshal Patel, Brydon Carse, Jaydev Unadkat, Ishan Malinga, Zeeshan Ansari, Shivang Kumar, Salil Arora, Omkar Tarmale, Sakib Hussain, Kriansh Fulatra, Prafull Hinge, Amit Kumar, and Liam Livingstone.
