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SRH skipper Pat Cummins was expected to play the SRH vs RR clash that happened on April 13 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Fans were very excited to watch him back in action after his long injury break. But he missed that match once again. Ishan Kishan led SRH as stand-in captain for the fourth straight game. Now, fans are wondering why Pat Cummins did not play against the Rajasthan Royals in that key IPL 2026 fixture.
Why Pat Cummins Missed SRH vs RR on April 13
Pat Cummins could not participate in the exciting game between SRH and Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026 on April 13 because he was still recovering from a stress injury of the lumbar bone. His back problems initially appeared when Australia toured the West Indies in July 2025 and increased during the Ashes Series in 2025.
Despite there being many wishes for his coming home, he left for Australia, probably in the first week of April, to undergo scans according to Cricket Australia. SRH was cautious rather than hasty because he had a non-fracture stress due to excessive bowling, which required time.
Timeline of Pat Cummins Injury and IPL 2026 Absence
Cummins unable to play in any game of the T20 World Cup 2026 because of this back issue. Australia struggled without him, exiting early from groups. He joined the SRH camp just before IPL started on March 28, looking sharp in light nets. But final scans were pending, which delayed his debut.
By April 2, after SRH’s win over KKR, he left for home scans. Reports confirm no new damage, but NOC from Cricket Australia is a must. He continues to stay on the sidelines, thus providing a rationale for the absence of Pat Cummins from the match between SRH and RR in Hyderabad.
Ishan Kishan performed brilliantly, helping SRH to secure one victory out of their four matches played till now. The team finds itself in the middle of the table, requiring the services of Cummins to fill in the gap in its bowling department.
How Back Injury Affects Pat Cummins Game
The lumbar bone stress is particularly prevalent among fast bowlers since it impacts their performance significantly by reducing their speed and endurance. Cummins bowled extensive spells in Test cricket against England and the West Indies, leading to the accumulation of bone stress in his spinal area.
He shared before IPL that he targets the second half of the tournament and playoffs. Light training in Hyderabad went fine, but doctors wanted one last check to avoid relapse. This smart call is why Pat Cummins missed SRH vs Rajasthan Royals despite fan hype.
In past IPLs, Cummins thrived with yorkers and bouncers. This absence results in SRH depending on inexperienced players such as Praful Hinge, who took wickets but does not have much experience playing in the death overs. Everyone misses his coolness during pressure situations.
SRH Performance Without Cummins Leadership
Sunrisers Hyderabad have been hitting hard at times, such as 226 once, but defending requires the skills of Cummins. Kishan, as a captain, took aggressive cricket forward, defeating KKR by 65 runs. However, defeats against better teams have exposed their problem with pace bowling.
Rajasthan Royals have taken the lead, winning four times, thanks to SRH’s absence of a player. Pat Cummins’s absence from SRH against RR has been beneficial for their opponents, who had Jofra Archer. SRH followers have been trending hashtags on social media for the early return of Cummins.
The points table shows SRH seventh with two points. They face tough games ahead, like Lucknow Giants next. Cummins’ comeback could turn things around for the playoff race in IPL 2026.
Also Read: 5 Fearless IPL 2026 Prodigies Stealing Limelight: Who’s Next Big Star?
Expected Return Date for Pat Cummins in IPL 2026
The good news is that Pat Cummins might join SRH around April 17 if scans give the green light. This lines up with his plan for the bulk of the remaining league games. He could miss one or two more as the Punjab Kings clash, but playoffs are his focus.
Cricket Australia will track progress closely. If cleared, he resumes captaincy with Abhishek Sharma as vice. The fans are waiting to know about his health condition, as to why Pat Cummins was not selected to play for SRH against RR on April 13.
Management of SRH is confident about the team because of its quality players. Everyone understands that Cummins has taken 45 IPL wickets, and his last spell in 2024 will be crucial.
