Ishan Kishan Named SRH Interim Captain for IPL 2026 Opener — Big Boost Ahead of Clash vs RCB
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the IPL 2016 champions, have officially announced Ishan Kishan as the interim captain for the upcoming TATA IPL 2026 season. This decision comes as regular skipper Pat Cummins continues his recovery from injury and is expected to miss the opening matches.
Kishan, one of India’s most explosive top-order batters, steps into the leadership role at a crucial time. Fresh from playing a key role in India’s historic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 triumph, the 27-year-old brings both confidence and momentum into the tournament.
SRH secured Kishan for a massive ₹11.25 crore during the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, and he quickly proved his worth. In the previous season, he scored 354 runs in 14 matches, maintaining an impressive average of 35.40 and a striking strike rate of 152.58.
One of the standout moments of his SRH journey came in his debut match, where he smashed an unbeaten 106 off just 47 balls* against Rajasthan Royals — a performance that instantly made him a fan favourite.
Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma has been appointed as vice-captain, adding further balance to the leadership group.
SRH will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign with a high-voltage clash against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 28 in Bengaluru, setting the stage for an exciting start to the season.
With Kishan at the helm, fans will be eager to see if SRH can make a strong statement early in the tournament.