Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins has started his recovery, with the fast bowler joining the franchise’s training session at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 25.

Cummins, who has a back injury, didn’t indulge in an intense workout. The 32-year-old was involved in warm-up routines, fielding and catching drills. He also bowled a few deliveries with a shortened run-up.

Cummins was injured during the Test series against the West Indies last year and played just one red-ball game in the Ashes. He also missed the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, and his absence proved costly as Australia failed to qualify for the Super 8 stage of the tournament.

The right-arm pacer has confirmed that he will miss a few games, but his confident of representing the franchise in the second half of IPL 2026.

“I am recovering from a back injury, but it is good. I am bowling in the nets,” Cummins said on the Business of Sport podcast.

“The IPL is about to start soon. I won’t be able to play from the start, but it shouldn’t be too long before I return to the playing XI,” he added.

“I am bowling every third day. We have a plan in place to get me in the middle by the second half of the tournament. If everything goes as per plan, I can play by the middle of the tournament.”

Ishan Kishan has been named SRH’s stand-in captain. Cummins is a big player, and his return will be crucial for the franchise as they are looking to win their second title. On the other hand, Australia are also monitoring Pat Cummins’ progress as they are scheduled to play two Test matches against Bangladesh in August before travelling to South Africa for three Tests, which is a part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.

Australia will then compete in white-ball matches against the Proteas before returning home for a four-Test series against New Zealand in the summer.

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