Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have been one of the biggest success stories of the recent IPL cycle. Under the leadership of Pat Cummins, SRH reinvented themselves from perennial bottom-table finishers into the most ruthless, boundary-hitting unit in the league. Their ultra-aggressive brand of cricket, both with bat and ball, not only delivered results but also reshaped the team’s identity. However, as the franchise looks ahead to IPL 2026, a crucial question looms large: what if Cummins is unavailable?
Cummins is currently managing a persistent back injury. During the ongoing Ashes 2025–26, the Australian skipper featured in only one Test, missing the first two matches and then being ruled out of the final two after the third game to protect his long-term fitness. With Australia’s packed international calendar and Cummins’ importance across formats, SRH cannot afford to be caught unprepared.
Why SRH need a strong contingency plan?
Replacing Cummins is not just about finding another overseas fast bowler. His value to SRH went far beyond wickets. Cummins brought calm leadership, tactical clarity, and a relentless edge that perfectly complemented SRH’s fearless batting lineup. If he misses IPL 2026, the void would be as much psychological as it would be tactical.
Fortunately for the Orange Army, the unsold pool from the IPL 2026 auction offers several high-quality options. These players may not replicate Cummins exactly, but they can help SRH preserve the aggressive blueprint that has defined their resurgence.
3 players SRH can sign to replace Pat Cummins for IPL 2026
1) Gerald Coetzee
If SRH want to retain the “fear factor” Cummins injected into their pace attack, Gerald Coetzee stands out as the most natural fit. One of the surprises of the 2026 auction was Coetzee going unsold at his base price of ₹2 crore, despite his proven impact at the international level.
Why SRH should sign him: Coetzee mirrors the current SRH culture perfectly. He bowls with hostility, thrives on confrontation, and hits hard lengths that force batters onto the back foot. Much like Cummins, he brings visible intensity that lifts the entire bowling unit.
Replacement value: At a young age, Coetzee offers long-term returns. He is also not a liability with the bat, capable of striking a few big blows at No. 8 — a trait SRH valued highly in Cummins during tight matches.
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2) Alzarri Joseph
Another major name to slip through the cracks at the 2026 auction was Alzarri Joseph. With franchises spoiled for overseas quicks, Joseph found no buyers, but for SRH, he could be a strategic goldmine.
Why SRH should sign him: Cummins’ greatest weapon was his ability to exploit bounce, especially on truer surfaces. Joseph offers the same attribute in abundance. With express pace consistently above 145 kmph, he can intimidate top orders and set the tone early.
Tactical fit: SRH play half their matches in Hyderabad, where bounce can be a decisive factor. With explosive batters like Travis Head at the top, the team needs a bowler who can apply instant pressure. Joseph, who still holds the record for the best bowling figures in IPL history, fits that role seamlessly.
3) Daryl Mitchell
While pace is an obvious area of concern, SRH could also look to replace Cummins’ leadership presence rather than his raw skill set. In that context, Daryl Mitchell emerges as an intriguing option. Despite being unsold at ₹2 crore, Mitchell brings immense tactical depth.
Why he fits: With Liam Livingstone already part of the SRH setup for 2026, Mitchell adds balance rather than brute force. He is among the best players of spin in world cricket and acts as a stabilising bridge between SRH’s explosive openers and power-hitters.
The ‘Moose’ factor: Mitchell’s street-smart cricketing brain could partially compensate for Cummins’ absence. His medium-pace variations are effective on slower tracks, offering SRH flexibility when express pace is taken apart.
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