The IPL 2026 season is still a few months away but Sunrisers Hyderabad SRH face their first major problem. Their captain and lead fast bowler Pat Cummins faces back injury problems, which make his tournament participation uncertain.

 

After IPL 2025 Cummins suffered a back injury, which has kept him from participating in competitive cricket since then. He missed the Australian team due to his injury, which later resulted in his exclusion from the T20 World Cup. SRH keeps track of his recovery process because they need to assess his condition before the upcoming IPL season.

 

Cummins serves as both SRH captain and their top fast bowler who delivers the most dependable performances. He bowls in all phases of the game, with the new ball, during the middle overs, and at the death. His absence would create a major void because he provides both leadership and bowling capabilities.

 

SRH needs to find a replacement if Cummins cannot play in IPL 2026. Here are four players who could fit into that role.

 

4 Players SRH Can Target if Pat Cummins is Ruled Out of IPL 2026

 

Sean Abbott

 

Sean Abbott represents the most effective choice for SRH who require someone to directly replace Cummins. The Australian pacer has a similar bowling style and mindset. He delivers his deliveries at a hard length while using different types of deliveries to succeed during powerplay and middle overs.

 

Abbott has vast experience in T20 cricket. He has played more than 200 T20 matches while taking 269 wickets. His average of 21.44 shows his wicket-taking ability, while an economy rate of 8.62 makes him a dependable option.

 

Abbott maintains his calmness under pressure situations while showing his understanding of game developments. He would serve as an immediate replacement for SRH because he requires minimal adjustment.

 

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Gerald Coetzee

 

Gerald Coetzee brings something different. The South African fast bowler offers raw pace and aggression, something SRH lack in their current attack. Coetzee bowls above 145 kmph, which makes him a dangerous bowler because he combines bounce and aggressive deliveries.

 

Coetzee has taken 101 wickets with his 80 T20 matches. He has a high economy rate of 8.91 but his ability to take wickets makes him an effective choice.

 

Coetzee has faced multiple injuries during the last few years but he could bring special skills to SRH's bowling team if they choose to take a chance on him.

 

Alzarri Joseph

 

West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph is another strong option. Joseph combines tallness with quickness to deliver fast bowling which creates extra bounce just like Cummins. Indian pitches that provide carry make him a dangerous player to face.

 

Joseph has taken 62 wickets in 45 T20I matches for the West Indies. He has a high economy rate of 9.24 but he remains a genuine wicket-taker who can break partnerships.

 

For SRH Joseph operates as a middle overs bowler and strike bowler who takes wickets.

 

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Daryl Mitchell

 

SRH needs to select their players based on leadership qualities rather than speed. In that case Daryl Mitchell becomes an interesting option. Despite his earlier unsold status Mitchell displays calmness, tactical awareness, and flexible playing style.

 

He is one of the best players of spin and can act as a stabilising presence in the middle order. His medium pace works well on slow tracks while his cricketing intelligence will compensate for Cummins' absence as team captain.

 

Mitchell will enhance team balance through his presence because Liam Livingstone is already part of the squad. In the recently concluded white ball series against India, Mitchell proved his worth once again, displaying his ability to score big on the Indian pitches. Moreover, he is also a handy bowler with hefty experience. Hence, SRH considering him as a replacement would not be a wrong call.