SRH To Feel Cummins’ Absence As Pathan Pins Hope On Nitish Reddy’s Comeback

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has identified young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy as a potential “glue” player for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. SRH are set to kick off their campaign against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28, with expectations high for their star-studded batting lineup.

While much of the spotlight remains on aggressive batters such as Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, and Liam Livingstone, Pathan believes Reddy could provide balance to an otherwise ultra-aggressive unit. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan emphasized that the 2024 Emerging Player award winner has the temperament to stabilize innings when needed, particularly in pressure situations.

Pathan pointed to Reddy’s contrasting performances over the past two seasons as an area of concern and opportunity. In the 2024 IPL season, Reddy scored over 300 runs at an impressive strike rate of 143, alongside contributing with the ball. However, his form dipped in 2025, where he managed just 182 runs in 13 matches at a significantly lower strike rate. Despite batting in favorable positions, including multiple opportunities at number four, he struggled to convert starts into substantial scores.

Also Read: SRH Opener Abhishek Sharma Faces Reality Check From AB de Villiers Ahead of IPL 2026

The former all-rounder also highlighted a key challenge for SRH—the absence of their captain Pat Cummins during the early phase of the tournament due to injury. Pathan noted that Cummins’ leadership, bowling consistency, and lower-order batting have been central to SRH’s recent approach. His absence, particularly in guiding younger players during high-pressure moments, could impact the team’s on-field decision-making and overall balance.

In Cummins’ absence, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan is expected to take over captaincy duties. Pathan backed this move, citing Kishan’s recent rise in form and leadership success. Kishan led Jharkhand to victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, delivering standout performances with the bat, and followed it up with strong contributions in international cricket, including a T20 World Cup-winning campaign.

Pathan concluded that Kishan’s current confidence and upward trajectory make him a suitable leader for SRH, even ahead of vice-captain Abhishek Sharma. With a blend of explosive talent and emerging players like Reddy expected to play crucial supporting roles, SRH will aim to strike the right balance as they begin their IPL 2026 journey.

Also Read: IPL 2026: RCB Intra-Squad Match Sees 80 From Key Batsman