With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 just around the corner, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) find themselves dealing with an unexpected leadership dilemma. Regular captain Pat Cummins is set to miss the opening phase of the tournament due to injury, forcing the franchise to rethink its plans just days before their first match.

While early chatter suggested that Abhishek Sharma could step in as captain, recent reports indicate that Ishan Kishan is now the frontrunner to lead SRH in Cummins’ absence. Its a decision that reflects both immediate practicality and long-term leadership thinking within the team.

Pat Cummins’ injury update and SRH’s captaincy dilemma

Cummins’ absence has been a major blow for SRH. The Australian skipper, who has led the franchise over the past two seasons, is still recovering from the injury that forced him out of the final two Tests of the 2025-26 Ashes series. The same issue also kept him out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Reports suggest that Cummins is likely to miss the first few matches of IPL 2026, including SRH’s high-profile opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Initially, many expected Abhishek Sharma – currently the world No. 1 T20I batter – to take over the captaincy. However, internal discussions within the SRH camp appear to have shifted the focus toward Ishan Kishan.

Kishan’s selection as a potential stand-in captain is not just a stop-gap solution. It reflects the franchise’s confidence in his leadership ability, especially given his experience in domestic cricket. The 27-year-old has already captained Jharkhand to a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title and continues to be seen as a natural leader.

With a demanding early schedule – including matches against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) SRH need a captain who can make quick decisions and handle pressure from the very first game.

Ishan Kishan vs Abhishek Sharma: Who is better suited to lead SRH?

The debate between Kishan and Abhishek isn’t just about talent – it’s about experience versus potential.

Ishan Kishan enters IPL 2026 in red-hot form. After a stellar T20 World Cup campaign, where he scored 317 runs at a strike rate above 190, he has firmly established himself as a match-winner on the biggest stage. His performances in the semi-final and final showcased his ability to thrive under pressure.

Also READ: ‘Shame on Kavya Maran’ – Sunrisers owner faces backlash for signing Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred Auction

Beyond his batting, Kishan brings valuable leadership experience. Having played over 200 T20 matches and represented multiple franchises like Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Lions, he understands different team environments and strategies. That exposure gives him an edge when it comes to managing a diverse squad like SRH.

On the other hand, Abhishek Sharma represents the future. The 25-year-old has rapidly risen through the ranks to become the No. 1 T20I batter in the world. While he had a mixed run during most of the World Cup, he delivered when it mattered most – smashing a breathtaking 52 off just 21 balls in the final.

However, captaincy is a different challenge altogether. Abhishek has limited leadership experience, especially at the IPL level. While he has shown confidence and composure as a batter, leading a franchise requires tactical awareness, man-management skills, and the ability to make high-pressure decisions – areas where Kishan currently holds the advantage.

For now, though, SRH appear to be prioritizing stability over experimentation.

As IPL 2026 kicks off, all eyes will be on who walks out for the toss in SRH colours. If reports are accurate, Kishan could be set for his first stint as an IPL captain – a big moment in his career and a crucial test for SRH’s ambitions this season.

And with Cummins expected to return later in the tournament, the franchise will hope this temporary leadership call sets the tone for a strong campaign rather than becoming a lingering question mark.

Also WATCH: Sanju Samson hilariously mimics Vaibhav Suryavanshi while recalling his IPL chat with Rahul Dravid

As the roadmap for the IPL 2026 season begins to take shape, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) find themselves at a tactical crossroads. Despite a legacy defined by aggressive, high-octane cricket, the franchise faced significant turbulence in their middle-order stability last season. Former Chennai Super Kings legend and ‘Mr. IPL’ Suresh Raina has now weighed in on the dilemma, suggesting a massive structural change: the permanent promotion of Rinku Singh in the batting hierarchy.

Suresh Raina reveals ideal batting position for Rinku Singh in KKR lineup

Raina’s assessment stems from a critical analysis of KKR’s net run rate and late-inning efficiency. Last season, the KKR dugout often left their most impactful domestic batter too late in the game. Raina pointed out that the ‘Three R’s’ Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, and Rinku were frequently clustered at positions 7, 8, and 9. This technical bottleneck often left Rinku with too few deliveries to influence the result, forcing him into a ‘slogger’ role that Raina believes diminishes his true value as a technically sound cricketer.

The core of Raina’s argument is that Rinku is far more than a death-overs specialist. “Rinku will have to bat higher. He can come in at No. 4 because he is not a slogger; he is a proper batsman,” Raina noted during his analysis. By moving Rinku to the second drop, KKR can utilize his ability to navigate the middle-overs spin squeeze, a phase where they struggled for momentum last year. This promotion would allow Rinku to build long innings, providing a safety net for the explosive but sometimes volatile top order.

This potential shift comes at a time of significant leadership evolution for the Men in Purple and Gold. With Abhishek Nayar taking the reins as coach and Shane Watson joining as an assistant, the tactical philosophy is expected to lean toward data-driven aggression. While Ajinkya Rahane remains the designated captain, there is growing chatter that Rinku Singh is being groomed as the successor. Elevating him to No. 4 not only solidifies the batting but also positions him at the heart of the game’s decision-making flow, a vital step if he is to take over the captaincy.

Also READ: “Anil bhai at 8…”: Virat Kohli names his greatest RCB playing XI featuring iconic leg spinner ahead of IPL 2026

Raina solves the overseas puzzle amending the new look KKR opening pair

Beyond Rinku’s role, Raina also touched upon the opening combination, which remains a point of contention between experts. While former RCB coach Sanjay Bangar advocates for the veteran stability of Sunil Narine and Rahane at the top, Raina is backing a more modern approach. He suggests that New Zealand’s Finn Allen, acquired in the mini-auction, should be integrated into the starting XI to provide a high-strike-rate launchpad. Allen’s recent form in the ICC T20 World Cup makes him a nearly un-droppable asset for the KKR management.

However, incorporating Allen creates a selection headache regarding the four overseas slots. With Narine and Cameron Green (slotted at No. 3) being certain starters, KKR must choose between additional batting firepower or death-bowling expertise. With Matheesha Pathirana facing availability questions and Harshit Rana sidelined, the responsibility may fall on Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani to lead the pace attack. Regardless of the bowling makeup, the consensus among legends like Raina is clear: KKR’s path to the IPL 2026 trophy depends on how effectively they can maximize Rinku’s time at the crease.

Also WATCH: Vaibhav Suryavanshi names a special record he would like to break in IPL 2026

The action shifts to Seddon Park, Hamilton, for the second encounter of this five-match T20I series. After a bruising opening loss, New Zealand find themselves in early trouble against a rejuvenated, ‘new-look’ South Africa side that showed no signs of transition jitters in the series opener.

The first T20I at Bay Oval was a one-sided affair. Opting to bat, New Zealand’s top order crumbled against a relentless South African pace attack. Reduced to 36/5 in the powerplay, the Black Caps were eventually bundled out for a paltry 91.

South Africa’s debutants stole the show. 19-year-old speedster Nqobani Mokoena took 3/26, while Connor Esterhuizen anchored the chase with an unbeaten 45 to guide the Proteas to a comfortable 7-wicket victory.

For the Black Caps, the primary mission at Seddon Park is to find some much-needed stability. With several senior stars being rested following the T20 World Cup, the responsibility of anchoring the innings falls heavily on the experienced shoulders of Devon Conway and Tom Latham. The experimental middle order appeared particularly fragile against the extra bounce in the series opener, and they will need to adapt swiftly to Hamilton’s surface, which historically offers much better conditions for batting. The spotlight remains on Mitchell Santner; as the only bowler who managed to maintain control in the first game with an economical spell of 1/8, the skipper will be hoping for that cheeky turn he noted in his post-match comments to unsettle the visitors.

South Africa, meanwhile, carries all the momentum as their ‘young blood’ looks to secure a 2-0 lead. Keshav Maharaj’s side appears incredibly balanced, with the pace trio of Gerald Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman, and Mokoena coming off a dominant performance where they exploited the conditions to perfection. While an injury cloud over Jordan Hermann remains the only real concern for the Proteas, they remain favourites heading into the second T20I. Coetzee will again be the man to watch; his aggressive opening spells have set the tone for the tour, and if he can remove Conway early, New Zealand’s inexperienced middle order will likely find themselves exposed to high-quality spin under the lights.

Seddon Park Pitch Report

The surface at Seddon Park in Hamilton is traditionally one of the most batter-friendly decks in New Zealand, often characterized by its true nature and consistent pace. Unlike the two-paced wicket seen in the series opener, this pitch typically allows the ball to come onto the bat nicely, rewarding aggressive stroke-play. The ground features notably shorter straight boundaries, which often forces bowlers to defensive lengths early in the innings. However, with the evening start time, the overhead conditions and the lush green outfield frequently assist the new-ball bowlers with a hint of swing during the first few overs. As the match progresses under the lights, the track tends to flatten out, though spinners often find a bit of cheeky grip if they use their variations well. Historically, a par score here ranges between 170 and 180, suggesting that the team winning the toss will likely look to chase, capitalizing on the evening dew and the settled batting conditions in the second half.

Also READ: Nqobani Mokoena sizzles as South Africa thrash New Zealand in the first T20I

Seddon Park T20I Stats and Records

• Total matches played: 21
• Matches won batting first: 11
• Matches won bowling first: 9
• Average 1st innings score: 167
• Average 2nd innings score: 145
• Highest total recorded: 212/4 (20 Overs) by New Zealand vs India
• Lowest total recorded: 78/10 (17.3 Overs) by Bangladesh vs New Zealand
• Highest score chased: 202/5 (19.4 Overs) by New Zealand vs Zimbabwe
• Lowest score defended: 161/7 (20 Overs) by New Zealand Women vs India Women

Also READ: NZ vs SA T20I Series: Date, Match Time, Broadcast and Live Streaming details

The series moves to Seddon Park, Hamilton, with South Africa carrying all the momentum after a clinical 7-wicket victory in the opening encounter. The Proteas, led by Keshav Maharaj, silenced the Bay Oval crowd by dismantling the New Zealand lineup for just 91 runs.

New Zealand will be desperate for a stronger showing from their top order. After being rocked by the South African pace attack in the Powerplay during the first match, veterans like Devon Conway and Tom Latham must anchor the innings. The Black Caps’ bowling, while defending a meager total, lacked the penetration needed to stop a confident South African chase.

South Africa has successfully blended youth and experience. The debutant Nqobani Mokoena was the star of the show in the first T20I, taking 3 wickets, while Connor Esterhuizen looked solid with the bat. With a 1-0 lead, the Proteas will look to tighten their grip on the 5-match series.

NZ vs SA, 2nd T20I: Match details

• Date and Time: March 17; 11:45 am IST / 6:15 am GMT / 7:15 pm Local
• Venue: Seddon Park, Hamilton

NZ vs SA, Head-to-Head Record in T20Is

Matches played: 21 | South Africa won: 13 | New Zealand won: 8 | No result: 0

Seddon Park Pitch Report

Seddon Park is historically one of the best batting surfaces in New Zealand. Unlike the two-paced wicket seen at Mount Maunganui, Hamilton typically offers a flat, true bounce that rewards stroke-makers. Small boundaries and a consistent surface often lead to high-scoring encounters. While the pitch is a belter for batters, pacers have historically been more successful than spinners at this venue, accounting for roughly 65% of the wickets. Extra bounce can be expected early on. Captains usually prefer bowling first here. The dew makes the ball slippery for bowlers in the second half, and the pitch remains excellent for chasing under lights.

Squads

South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Jason Smith, Jordan Hermann, George Linde, Wiaan Mulder, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Prenelan Subrayen, Dian Forrester, Gerald Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman, Keshav Maharaj (c), Lutho Sipamla, Rubin Hermann, Andile Simelane, Nqobani Mokoena

New Zealand: Devon Conway (wk), Tim Robinson, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Josh Clarkson, Mitchell Santner (c), Bevon Jacobs, Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi, Cole McConchie, Dane Cleaver, Nick Kelly, Ben Sears, Katene D Clarke, Jayden Lennox, Zakary Foulkes

Also READ: Nqobani Mokoena sizzles as South Africa thrash New Zealand in the first T20I

NZ vs SA, 2nd T20I: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• New Zealand wins the toss and bowl first
• South Africa’s powerplay score: 50-60
• South Africa’s total score: 180-190

Case 2:

• South Africa wins the toss and bowl first
• New Zealand’s powerplay score: 60-70
• New Zealand’s total score: 190-200

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest.

Also READ: NZ vs SA T20I Series: Date, Match Time, Broadcast and Live Streaming details

On 17^th March at 11:45 AM IST, New Zealand will be taking on South Africa in the second T20I match at Seddon Park, Hamilton.

Get the best NZ vs SA Dream11 prediction, fantasy cricket tips, probable playing XI, and match insights for the 2nd T20I match of the South Africa Tour of New Zealand 2026. Expert analysis and more.

Also Read: Bangladesh-New Zealand series confirmed as IPL 2026 faces player availability scare

NZ vs SA Match Preview:

The high-octane five-match T20I series between New Zealand and South Africa moves to Hamilton for a critical second encounter. This high-stakes fixture is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 11:45 AM IST (which is 7:15 PM local time) at the picturesque Seddon Park.

New Zealand enters this match seeking to erase the memory of their lowest T20I total at home, having been bundled out for just 91 in the first game. The squad relies heavily on the experience of Jimmy Neesham, who was the lone bright spot with 26 runs, and captain Mitchell Santner. Furthermore, the bowling unit showed glimpses of grit as Santner maintained an exceptional economy of 2.00 while claiming a wicket. Additionally, the team expects much-improved performances from the top order, specifically Devon Conway and Tom Latham, to set a platform that allows their middle order to express themselves.

However, South Africa arrives with massive momentum after a near-perfect all-round performance. They currently lead the series 1-0, largely due to the sensational debut of 19-year-old pacer Nqobani Mokoena, who earned Player of the Match honors with figures of 3/26. Moreover, the batting chase was masterfully anchored by opener Connor Esterhuizen, who remained unbeaten on 45 to guide his team home with 20 balls to spare. Furthermore, the pace battery of Gerald Coetzee and Ottneil Baartman looks formidable on New Zealand tracks. Additionally, the visitors intend to leverage their superior bowling form to exploit the true bounce of the Hamilton surface.

Therefore, both squads will fight with high intensity to dictate the narrative of the series in this Tuesday night clash. New Zealand aims to utilize their spin variety and aggressive batting intent to level the series and regain their psychological edge. Moreover, South Africa intends to leverage their raw pace and clinical finishing to secure back-to-back wins and edge closer to a series victory.

NZ vs SA Head-to-Head Record:

NZ vs SA Weather & Pitch Report:

Record of chasing teams:

NZ vs SA Playing 11s (Predicted):

New Zealand Playing 11:

1) Devon Conway (wk)

2) Tim Robinson

3) Tom Latham

4) James Neesham

5) Bevon Jacobs

6) Mitchell Santner ©

7) Josh Clarkson

8) Kyle Jamieson

9) Zakary Foulkes

10) Lockie Ferguson

11) Ben Sears

South Africa Playing 11:

1) Tony de Zorzi

2) Connor Esterhuizen (wk)

3) Rubin Hermann

4) Jason Smith

5) Dian Forrester

6) George Linde

7) Wiaan Mulder

8) Gerald Coetzee

9) Keshav Maharaj ©

10) Ottneil Baartman

11) Nqobani Mokoena

Hot Picks for NZ vs SA Dream11 Prediction and Fantasy Cricket Tips:

Captaincy Picks:

Top Picks:

Budget Picks:

NZ vs SA South Africa Tour of New Zealand 2026 Captain and Vice-captain Choices:

NZ vs SA Dream11 Prediction Team 1:

• Keepers – Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Connor Esterhuizen (vc)
• Batters – Tony de Zorzi, Tim Robinson
• All-rounders – James Neesham, Mitchell Santner ©
• Bowlers – Keshav Maharaj, Kyle Jamieson, Gerald Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman

NZ vs SA Dream11 Prediction Team 2:

• Keepers – Devon Conway ©, Connor Esterhuizen
• Batters – Jason Smith, Tim Robinson
• All-rounders – James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Cole McConchie, Zakary Foulkes
• Bowlers – Keshav Maharaj (vc), Kyle Jamieson, Gerald Coetzee

NZ vs SA Dream11 Prediction Today Match 2nd T20I South Africa Tour of New Zealand 2026 Players to Avoid:

NZ vs SA Dream11 Prediction Today Match 2nd T20I South Africa Tour of New Zealand 2026 Expert Advice:

NZ vs SA Match Winner Prediction:

Looking at the dominating performance in the last game, South Africa is expected to win this match.

Sanju Samson takes a swipe against Rajasthan Royals: The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is just a few weeks away. The IPL managing committee and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have announced the schedule for just 20 matches of the competition due to the Legislative Assembly election. However, it is believed that the rest of the schedule will be released later.

Ahead of the IPL, the teams are getting ready for the mega event. Among them, five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have also started their training. However, some players are yet to join the squad. Sanju Samson is one player who is yet to join the CSK camp. The wicket-keeper batter was part of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 winning squad.

This is the first time I will play against Rajasthan Royals- Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson was traded to CSK from the Rajasthan Royals (RR). The deal, which involved a player-swap with Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, brought Samson to CSK on an INR 18 crore salary. Samson was asked by PTI about facing his former franchise in the IPL.

VIDEO | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: “This is the first time I will play against Rajasthan Royals, but I don’t let emotions rule me on the field. I left Rajasthan Royals because I felt my time in the team was over. Even if we come up against them now, I will play my best cricket,”… pic.twitter.com/yhzyONME20

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 16, 2026

Sanju said, “This is the first time I will play against Rajasthan Royals, but I don’t let emotions rule me on the field. I left Rajasthan Royals because I felt my time in the team was over. Even if we come up against them now, I will play my best cricket.”

Sanju Samson to carry his T20 World Cup form

Sanju Samson was in brilliant form during the T20 World Cup, and he was awarded the Player of the Tournament award for his phenomenal batting display. In 5 matches, he scored 321 runs for the India National Cricket Team, with an average of over 80. Since his inception on the team, the batter has displayed his amazing batting skills.

Sanju started his IPL career with the Kolkata Knight Riders. Since then, he has played 177 IPL matches. CSK will be his fourth franchise. Since his IPL debut in 2013, the Kerala wicketkeeper has played for RR in all except two seasons, 2016 and 2017, when he played for the Delhi Capitals.

CSK look to fight back after poor 2025 IPL

Sanju Samson was also the captain for the Royals and led them to the 2022 IPL final. However, ended up on the losing side; this time, he is not the captain for CSK, but will be playing under Ruturaj Gaikwad.

After a horrifying 2025 season for the five-time winners, as they finished at the bottom of the table for the first time, they would like to turn around and qualify for the playoffs this season. The CSK management has a change in their philosophy after they picked two uncapped Indian players, Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer, for INR 14.25 crores each.

CSK have been looking for their first trophy since 2023, and they have had a poor two seasons, failing to qualify for the playoffs.

CSK Squad:

Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, M.S. Dhoni, Sanju Samson, Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Shreyas Gopal, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma, Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar, Zak Foulkes.

Also Read: Gautam Gambhir names MS Dhoni as India’s next head coach

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has confirmed the two venues for the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand. New Zealand, the T20 World Cup finalists, will return to compete in the tour against Bangladesh in April.

New Zealand played some stunning brand of cricket and were the finalists of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 alongside India. They defeated the mighty South African side in the semi-finals as the two openers guided them home with sheer domination. They have been the finalists alongside India in the last two ICC tournaments in 2025 and 2026.

New Zealand are currently hosting South Africa for a five-match T20I series. They started off with a humiliating defeat to a new-look South African side, which did not comprise any of their T20 World Cup stars. New Zealand also played with their alternative side, comprising cricketers who were not part of the World Cup.

BCB plots to wreck IPL as they confirm venues for NZ tour

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed Dhaka and Chattogram as the two venues for the upcoming limited-overs contest between the two teams, Bangladesh and New Zealand.

The New Zealand team will first take on the hosts in a three-match ODI series, which starts on the 17th of April and ends on the 23rd of April. The first two games have been scheduled to be held in Dhaka, while the last match will be in Chattogram.

The actions then shift to the shortest format of the game. The first two T20Is will take place in Chattogram on 27 and 29 April. The last of the series will be played in Dhaka on the 2nd of May.

New Zealand tour of Bangladesh to clash with IPL schedule

Bangladesh recently won the home series against Pakistan in the 50-over format. The three-match series was won by a 2-1 margin by the hosts, who are looking forward to bolstering their campaign for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup.

Tour Schedule:

ODI:

1st ODI, Mirpur, Dhaka, 17 April

2nd ODI, Mirpur, Dhaka, 20 April

3rd ODI, Chattogram, 23 April

T20I:

1st T20I, Chattogram, 27 April

2nd T20I, Chattogram, 29 April

3rd T20I, Mirpur Dhaka, 2 May

The schedule of the series clashes with the IPL 2026, and several players from New Zealand will be part of the IPL during that time. BCB is unaffected as their players have been banned from participating in the IPL this time around, a condition that led to a major fiasco and eventually Bangladesh’s boycott of the T20 World Cup hosted by India.

List of NZ cricketers who will be part of IPL 2026

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner will be part of the Mumbai Indians camp. Lockie Ferguson, the fast bowler, would be playing for the Punjab Kings after being ruled out due to injury midway through the previous season.

Openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, alongside Rachin Ravindra, will star in the KKR squad this season. Jacob Duffy will be seen in RCB colours for the first time, while Kyle Jamieson moves to the Rajasthan Royals as Adam Milne‘s replacement.

Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, and Devon Conway will play in the PSL, which is also in the same window. While Glenn Phillips will be seen decking up the Gujarat Titans XI in IPL 2026. Hence, it seems obvious that none of NZ’s frontline players will be part of the tour to Bangladesh.

ALSO READ: EX-KKR coach joins CSK in new role ahead of IPL 2026

Indian left-handed batter all set to captain Sunrisers Hyderabad in Pat Cummins‘ absence in IPL 2026. However, not Abhishek Sharma but Ishan Kishan is likely to step up for SRH as their skipper.

There has been some major confusion over the social media buzz surrounding Abhishek Sharma’s appointment as the captain of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team in Pat Cummins’ absence for the first few games of the IPL.

However, Times of India reports have claimed differently, and it seems that Abhishek Sharma’s ill fate in 2026 continues after the T20 World Cup, as a golden opportunity to lead an IPL franchise has been snatched away from him.

Ishan Kishan’s ‘bull run’ continues with a new role for SRH in 2026

Indian batter Ishan Kishan is having his fortune speak for him in 2026, as he made a shocking return to the Indian XI just at the doorstep of the T20 World Cup and then emerged as their most consistent performer with 317 runs in his maiden T20 World Cup tournament.

After the tremendous success with the Indian team, he has now been handed a promotion by the Sunrisers Hyderabad team in the IPL. The Jharkhand skipper, who led them to an SMAT title in 2025, will now lead SRH in Pat Cummins’ absence.

Cummins’ availability is a major uncertainty this season. The Times of India reports have claimed that SRH management has had a long discussion, and they have decided that Kishan best suits the role of wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of the Australian World Cup-winning captain.

Ishan Kishan’s heroics in the ICC T20 World Cup

Ishan Kishan played a key role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. He scored 317 runs, the second highest for India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with a blistering strike rate of 193.

He ended his campaign with three half-centuries, and including one in the final, he helped India get past tough opposition. He believed that his performance could motivate the young kids who wanted to grow. He also claimed that the World Cup win showed how hard work can lead to success for any cricketer.

Speaking of his future goals after the ICC T20 World Cup, he claimed that his goal is simply to play good cricket, score runs, and keep winning in whichever format and for whichever team he plays.

Kishan’s performance for SRH in IPL 2025

Kishan was bought at a whopping price by the Sunrisers Hyderabad, which showed how much they anticipated from the Indian left-hander. Ishan Kishan also started off his tournament with his maiden IPL hundred and set the stage for a successful run in the tournament.

However, his form dipped after that century, as he could manage not more than 354 runs for them in 14 matches with a strike rate of 152.58. Throughout his IPL career, Ishan Kishan, who has also played for the Mumbai Indians, has amassed 2998 runs in the IPL in 119 appearances.

With 17 half-centuries and a century, Kishan has hit 288 fours and 134 sixes, which reflects on his boundary-hitting ability and clean striking of the white ball. As a wicket-keeper, he has contributed to 59 catches and five stumpings in his IPL career.

ALSO READ: Former England skipper declares Jasprit Bumrah as the best T20 bowler of all time

The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is just a few weeks away. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the first match of the competition. Over the years, the tournament has delivered some of the greatest cricketers for India, among them, Sai Sudharsan has been one of the future stars.

Sai Sudharsan plays for the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL. The left-handed batter was picked by GT back in 2022, and since then, he has been making a name for himself in the tournament. His amazing performance in the 2025 season earned him the Emerging Player of the Year award.

Sai Sudharsan is an underrated T20 player

Sai scored 759 runs in the tournament and was also the Orange Cap winner of the season. Though his side failed to qualify for the final, he had an excellent season in the IPL, which also earned him a call in the ODI, T20I, and Test teams for India. He has just played 3 ODI and 6 Test matches for the Men in Blue.

Ahead of the IPL, former India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh has praised the Southpaw for his phenomenal consistency and also believes that he has not been provided the due credit, and his performances become undervalued as he does not have the explosive nature like Rajasthan Royals’ wonderboy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Sai Sudarshan is similar to Shikhar Dhawan- Sadagoppan Ramesh

Speaking on JioHostar, Ramesh said, “His biggest strength is boundary hitting. Shikhar Dhawan is one of the least talked-about IPL batters. Dhawan used to consistently score 500 runs in a season at one stretch. But his innings would be built in a way that goes unnoticed, yet he would keep scoring timely boundaries.”

“Sai Sudarshan is similar to Shikhar Dhawan in his scoring pattern. His batting will not look explosive like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. But the runs will keep flowing for Sai. Before you realize it, he will shock you by how many runs he has scored in an innings.”

It’s hard to be consistent- Sai Sudharsan

Sadagoppan Ramesh also suggested that Sai Sudharsan should add more firepower to his batting, along with his consistency, as this would help him to get a chance in the T20I team. Sai has just played one T20I for the Men in Blue against Zimbabwe back in 2024.

Ramesh concluded, saying, “It’s hard to be consistent. Yet, Sai Sudarshan must be aware of the pressure he is under, given the openers he is competing with in India. His competition is full of explosive batters, who play at strike rates of 180 and 200. Sai is a guaranteed 600-run scorer per season. But there was a time where he looked good to break into the Indian T20I side.”

Sai Sudharsan will look to score runs in this edition of the IPL. However, he needs to have the firepower rather than the classic stroke play as Team India plays on the philosophy of high risk, high reward, where the batters have to strike from the very first delivery. He will be seen on March 31 against the Punjab Kings.

Also Read: NOT Abhishek Sharma! Ishan Kishan to lead SRH in IPL 2026

Former Mumbai Indians coach Ricky Ponting took full credit for having brought Rohit Sharma into the Mumbai Indians team back in 2013 and backing him for captaincy. The Mumbai Indians have won the IPL five times, and Rohit has been the skipper leading them on all these occasions.

Rohit Sharma can often be considered one of the greatest captains in the world. He is extremely successful in white-ball cricket and led India to three ICC finals in the ICC World Cup 2023, ICC T20 World Cup 2024, and ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Currently, Rohit has stepped down from captaincy across all forms of cricket. He is no longer a captain in the Indian team, where he plays in ODIs, while on the other hand, he continues to play for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, but no longer as a captain.

Ricky Ponting takes credit for Rohit Sharma’s rise in captaincy

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, who is often regarded as the greatest ever captain in the history of cricket, took full credit for having identified Rohit Sharma as a special talent in the IPL. He also took credit for laying the pillars of Rohit Sharma’s captaincy days in the MI camp.

“I know Rohit really well. I had a chance to play with Rohit and a chance to coach Rohit as well. I gave Rohit Sharma his first chance to captain a team when I stepped down as the Mumbai Indians captain in 2013. I was the one who single-handedly selected Rohit to be the Mumbai Indians captain,” said Ricky Ponting.

Ever since his appointment, Rohit Sharma has gone on to win five IPL titles in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. Ricky Ponting was himself part of the coaching unit when they won the title in the first two seasons of the IPL.

“50% of the Captaincy is done off the field.” – Ricky Ponting

The former Mumbai Indians player turned coach had some great praise reserved for his former teammate. Rohit truly went on to be one of the greatest white-ball cricketers after arriving in the Mumbai Indians camp, where he has spent his best years as a cricketer.

“I respect Rohit Sharma as a person. I respect what he has done as a player. The hardest thing for anyone to do is to judge a captain on the field, because so much of the captaincy work is done off the field.

“It’s not about a field change or a bowling change or how he sets his batting order. It’s about how he interacts with his players on and off the field. You know more than 50% of the captaincy is done off the field.”

“It is about how you interact, how you get the best out of your players, how you understand their personalities, and how you allow them to be the best version of themselves on the field,” Ricky Ponting on a true captain’s role.

“Knowing Rohit as I do, I can say he is a very caring person. He will be making sure he cares about his cricket team in the best way he can, and if he does that, he can bring out the best performance from your players,” Ricky Ponting said of Rohit Sharma.

This is coming from the mouth of the greatest captain this sport has ever had. pic.twitter.com/6GB2JNsKTw

— 𝖢𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖺𝗂𝗇 (@ForeverFourty5) March 16, 2026

Rohit Sharma stepped down from captaincy in IPL 2025

The former Indian skipper stepped down from the Mumbai Indians captaincy when Hardik Pandya was traded back to the Mumbai Indians from the Gujarat Titans ahead of the IPL 2024 season. Hardik had then led the Gujarat Titans to consecutive IPL finals, winning once in 2022.

Rohit Sharma had failed as a captain over three consecutive seasons, which led to the end of his tenure as a captain after a decade. Currently, he opens the innings for the Mumbai Indians and played a solid hand in their campaign last time.

Rohit scored his second IPL hundred last season. He will return to IPL action at the Wankhede on the 29th of March when MI takes on KKR for their tournament opener in 2026.

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