Sunrisers set for Pat Cummins boost in latter half of IPL

A lumbar stress issue has resulted in Cummins playing just one match, the third Ashes test in December, since July 2025. But the big quick is on the mend. ESPN reports that Cummins arrived in Bengaluru this week for training with the Sunrisers, where he did light sprints and bowled into an empty net.

"I'm still recovering from a back injury, but it's good, I'm back bowling in the nets," said the 32-year-old.

"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, so hopefully, if nothing goes wrong, I'll play the back half plus the finals."

The knockout stage of the 2026 IPL begins on 26 May, giving him around eight further weeks of recovery and rehabilitation.  

In Cummins' absence, wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan will lead Sunrisers for the season and he has the former captain's full support.

"Ishan's had a really successful captaincy stint with his local side in the last year or so," he added.

"Those guys, you're leaning on anyway. We've got quite an experienced bowling group of local guys, so a few of the younger guys that come through that I don't know as well, particularly early on in a season, I'm definitely leaning on the local guys who do know them well - or even speak the language.

"Most of the guys speak really great English, but some of them don't, and there are local dialects, so that can be a little bit of a barrier for an international captain."

The 2026 IPL kicks off on 28 March, with Sunrisers facing Royal Challengers Bangalore.