New Delhi: Team India’s left-handed batsman Ishan Kishan is the frontrunner to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in the upcoming IPL 2026 season as it is not clear when Pat Cummins will join the team.
TimesofIndia.com has reliably learned that the SRH management has held discussions on the matter and Kishan is considered the most suitable person to wear the captain’s armband in the absence of the Australian fast bowler. Abhishek Sharma will serve as Ishan’s deputy this season.
Ishan’s stock is currently in a bull market. The 27-year-old impressed the nation with his performances in the T20 World Cup, initially as a top-order batsman and later when Sanju Samson returned to the starting XI.
Ishan Kishan’s performance in the last IPL
Kishan has emerged as one of the most explosive wicketkeeper-batsmen in the IPL.
In 119 games for three teams, including Sunrisers Hyderabad, he scored 2,998 runs in 112 innings at an average of 29.10 and a strike rate of 137.64.
His batting record includes a century, 17 half-centuries, 288 fours and 134 sixes, highlighting his aggressive batting style.
Behind the stumps, Kishan also contributed 59 catches and 5 stumps.
In the 2025 season, his first season after being selected in the auction for Rs 1,125 crore, he scored 354 runs in 14 games with a strike rate of 152.58, including hundreds and fifties.
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Kishan’s heroics in T20 World Cup 2026
Kishan played a key role for the Indian national cricket team during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, becoming India’s second-highest run-scorer with 317 runs in nine innings at an average of 35.22 and a strike rate of over 193.
His campaign included three half-centuries, one of which came in the final to help India win the title.
After the win, he said: “Obviously our team won and it’s a very good thing not just for us but for the whole country. We hope to continue playing cricket like this and keep winning.”
He added: “It feels great because I believe the better I perform, the more motivated the kids here who want to grow are. I always try to make sure as many players come out of every corner as possible. Now that we’ve played in the World Cup, it shows that with hard work you can succeed anywhere.”
Talking about his future goals, Kishan said: “Nothing, just keep scoring, keep playing, keep winning.”