Pat Cummins Targets IPL 2026 Start Date for Return from Back Injury
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins has confirmed that he is targeting the start of the IPL 2026 season for his return to competitive cricket. The Australian fast bowler, who recently withdrew from the T20 World Cup due to a persistent back injury, stated that T20 cricket offers a more manageable path back to match fitness compared to the rigors of Test cricket, which remains his long-term priority.
Cummins is scheduled for another scan in the coming weeks, and if the results are positive, he plans a slow build-up to ensure he is ready to lead the SRH franchise when the tournament begins on March 26. His confidence in being ready for the IPL provides a significant boost for Sunrisers Hyderabad as they finalize their preparations.
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“We'll just be guided by my back. We'll have another scan in a few weeks, and if it's good, then we'll have a slow build-up. T20s are a little bit easier to get up for (than tests); that's why I was so close to getting up for this World Cup.”
Pat Cummins, Australia Test and ODI Captain
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IPL Career Leading Wicket Takers Leaders | Bowling Rankings
Leading leading wicket takers performers in IPL Career (bowling specialists only: bowlers/all-rounders)
| Select | Rank | Player | Team | wicket-takers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 151 wickets | ||
#2 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 110 wickets | ||
| #3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 79 wickets | ||
| #4 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 13 wickets | ||
| #5 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 13 wickets |
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More on Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins Targets IPL Return as Key Step in Long-Term Fitness Strategy for SRH
"We thought the first half of the year was a pretty good time to be conservative with the amount of cricket that's coming up. We'll get it right, then hopefully that will mean you won't have to worry about it, and you can just go out and play all those Test matches. Whereas, if you're not careful with it now and it flares up, you're chasing tail a bit.
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This tour is really important for our World Cup preparations, and we have got some guys that weren't quite ready to be here; they're back at home training and preparing to meet us in Sri Lanka, so no stress there from our end.
“We'll just be guided by my back. We'll have another scan in a few weeks, and if it's good, then we'll have a slow build-up. T20s are a little bit easier to get up for (than tests); that's why I was so close to getting up for this World Cup.”
Pat Cummins, Australia Test and ODI Captain
- Player
- Pat Cummins
- Specialization
- Bowler
- Team
- SRH
- Analyze
- Analyze Performance
- Team
- Team Performance