Pat Cummins Targets IPL Return as Key Step in Long-Term Fitness Strategy for SRH

Pat Cummins, captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, has confirmed that he is targeting the upcoming Indian Premier League season, starting March 26, as his return to competitive cricket following a back injury. Cummins was forced to withdraw from the T20 World Cup due to the injury, but his focus is now on a conservative, long-term recovery plan that utilizes the shorter format of the IPL to regain match fitness. This strategic decision prioritizes his availability for Australia's grueling 2026-27 Test schedule, which includes major series against India and the Ashes.

The 32-year-old pacer explained that rushing his recovery now would risk aggravating the injury and potentially jeopardizing his fitness for the demanding international calendar ahead. A follow-up scan revealed that the bone required closer to eight weeks of healing time, making the T20 World Cup timeline too tight. By aiming for the IPL, Cummins hopes to build up his workload gradually in a less physically taxing environment than Test cricket, ensuring he is fully prepared for the long haul.

"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," Cummins stated. His return will be a significant boost for the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise as they look to build on their previous campaign.