SRH Overseas Seamer Struggles: Pat Cummins Set for Return

Sunrisers Hyderabad face continued challenges with their overseas seamers as they prepare to welcome back skipper Pat Cummins from injury while integrating new signing Marco Jansen into the attack.

The franchise has endured a difficult run with their overseas pace options, having to replace injured players Jack Edwards and Brydon Carse earlier in the season and most recently losing David Payne to an ankle injury that ruled him out for the remainder of IPL 2026.

In response to Payne’s unavailability, Sunrisers Hyderabad have brought in South African fast bowler Marco Jansen to bolster their bowling stocks for the rest of the tournament, with Jansen expected to take the field immediately upon joining the squad.

Meanwhile, Pat Cummins has been cleared to resume competitive cricket following successful medical assessments in Sydney, with the latest scans confirming full recovery from the back issue that first surfaced during Australia’s tour of the West Indies in late 2025 and kept him out of action for several months.

The Australian all-rounder travelled to Australia earlier in April 2026 for further evaluation on the persistent lower back problem, and after receiving medical clearance, is now targeting a return to action in late April, with specific focus on being available for selection ahead of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s clash against the Chennai Super Kings on April 18, 2026 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

Cummins, who serves as the regular captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, has not played a single match in IPL 2026 due to the injury layoff, during which time Ishan Kishan assumed leadership responsibilities in his absence.

Despite not being cleared to play initially, Cummins maintained engagement with the squad, training with the team and remaining in regular contact during his rehabilitation period in Australia.

On April 2, 2026, Cummins flew back to Australia to undergo a final fitness assessment, with reports indicating he was scheduled to take the test on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, and that a successful outcome would see him receive a No Objection Certificate from Cricket Australia to participate in the tournament.

Following clearance, Cummins was expected to arrive in Hyderabad on April 17, 2026, positioning him to be available for the April 18 encounter against Chennai Super Kings, a match seen as a pivotal opportunity for Sunrisers Hyderabad to gain momentum in the middle of the IPL 2026 season.

His return comes at a critical juncture, with Sunrisers Hyderabad having managed only two wins from their first five matches of the campaign, and the franchise looking to strengthen its prospects of reaching the playoffs by reinforcing both its bowling attack and leadership structure.

The arrival of Marco Jansen adds further depth to the seam department, providing Sunrisers Hyderabad with an additional overseas pace option as they seek to balance the impact of Cummins’ return with the need to maintain consistency in selection amid ongoing injury concerns affecting their overseas contingent.