Despite the return of Australian Pat Cummins, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar has supported wicketkeeper batter Ishan Kishan to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) this IPL season, citing his tactical acumen.
Bangar also questioned if Cummins, for whom Ishan has filled in as captain in seven games thus far, would be able to play the entire tournament after a nearly year-long injury layoff.
Cummins is anticipated to make a comeback for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Saturday after recovering from a stress reaction in his lower back that prevented him from participating in the T20 World Cup and postponed his start to the 2026 IPL.
“Ishan Kishan as a leader is tactically very good in terms of how he uses his bowlers. He understands which bowlers to use against which batters. It is a clear marker of how well he controls the game. He doesn’t look clustered, is not hurried, and is taking the right calls on the field,” Bangar, a former India batting coach, was quoted by PTI as saying on Star Sports.
“The way he used his spinners against DC was impressive. All in all, I believe that even if Pat Cummins comes back, Ishan should continue captaining SRH. More often than not, having an Indian captain brings consistency. You cannot be sure about how fit a bowler of Pat Cummins’ caliber will stay throughout the rest of IPL, considering the niggles he’s been dealing with.”
Bangar stated that Ishan Kishan should continue to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in order to preserve continuity and the team’s best interests.
“Ishan continuing with the leadership duties gives a lot of continuity to the players. That would be the way to go for Hyderabad.”
In the meantime, Ishan stated that his motto is to get over his fear of failing, keep going, and start again every time he plays.
“At this level, skill sets are quite similar. The real difference comes from mindset. For me, it was about improving how I reset between games, whether after a good performance or a bad one.
“Staying focused, hungry, and mentally present is key. You can’t carry the fear of failure, if that thought comes in, you have to overcome it and stay positive. Over time, that awareness grows, and you start understanding your game better. It’s about learning from your experiences but making sure you don’t repeat the same mistakes,” added Ishan.
He claimed that he had a unique bond with his bowlers.
“My relationship with the bowlers is about keeping things simple and positive. With someone like Sakib Hussain, there’s a natural understanding, and I’ve told him to stay relaxed. This is T20 cricket, everyone gets hit. What matters is how you come back,” he said.
“Even an over doesn’t go well, it’s important to reset, stay calm, and focus on the next opportunity. If you can pull things back later in the game, that’s what makes the difference. There’s no point putting extra pressure on yourself, just trust your plans and execute them.”
