Pat Cummins, the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, has flown back to Australia so that Cricket Australia’s medical team may do a final scan on his ailing back and approve his participation in the second phase of the current Indian Premier League.
“Cummins, who has been out of action since July, 2025 with just one Ashes Test appearance in between, has left the team’s camp at IPL 2026 and returned home to have a final scan on his injured back,” PTI quoted an ESPNCricinfo report as saying.
“Cummins left India at the end of SRH’s last game, against Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata on Thursday. He is expected to rejoin the squad on April 17 if cleared by CA,” the report stated.
As part of the Return to Play procedure, it should be noted that Cummins has been bowling at SRH nets.
The pacer will be available throughout the second half of the competition, according to Cummins and Cricket Australia. Ishan Kishan has been given the role of captain in his absence.
While talking on the Business of Sports podcast a week prior to departing Australia for India, Cummins had stated: “I’m still recovering from a back injury, but it’s good. I’m back bowling in the nets. The IPL is starting soon. I won’t make the start of that, but it shouldn’t be too long before I’m back out there playing. I’m back bowling. I’m bowling basically every third day at the moment. We’ve mapped out a plan to get me right by (the) middle of the tournament.”
David Payne and Eshan Malinga have been serving as SRH international pacers.
