Pat Cummins to Miss Start of IPL 2026 Due to Injury

By Ananya Rao / 26.03.2026

Pat Cummins has been managing a back issue since last year, which has significantly impacted his playing schedule. The Australian cricketer has only participated in one competitive match since July 2022, and his recovery process has been closely monitored.

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season approaches, Cummins has announced that he will miss the start of the tournament. “I won’t make the start of that, but it shouldn’t be too long before I’m back out there playing,” Cummins stated, expressing optimism about his recovery.

Currently, Cummins is back bowling in the nets every third day, indicating progress in his rehabilitation. He mentioned, “I’m still recovering from a back injury, but it’s good. I’m back bowling in the nets.” His goal is to participate in the latter half of the IPL season, contingent on his recovery going smoothly.

In Cummins’ absence, Ishan Kishan has been appointed as the interim captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad. Cummins praised Kishan’s leadership skills, noting, “Ishan’s had a really successful captaincy stint with his local side in the last year or so.” This change comes as the Sunrisers aim to improve their performance, having last won the IPL in 2016.

The IPL 2026 season is set to begin on Saturday, and Cummins is hopeful that he can return to the field before the tournament concludes. “We’ve mapped out a plan to get me right by (the) middle of the tournament, so hopefully, if nothing goes wrong, (I will) play the back half plus the finals,” he added.

Additionally, Cummins has faced setbacks that have prevented him from participating in the T20 World Cup, further complicating his return to competitive cricket. The upcoming Bangladesh series, scheduled from August 13 to 26, will also be a significant test for his recovery.

As fans and analysts await Cummins’ return, the cricket community remains supportive, hoping for a swift recovery for the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad.