Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) enters the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) as arguably the most explosive batting unit ever assembled in the history of the tournament. After a 2024 campaign that redefined T20 scoring and a somewhat inconsistent 2025 season where they finished sixth, the Orange Army has doubled down on its philosophy of pure, unadulterated aggression. Under the tactical guidance of head coach Daniel Vettori, Hyderabad has built a roster that treats every match as a high-speed chase. However, the 2026 campaign begins with a significant leadership hurdle, as their charismatic captain (Pat Cummins) and pace spearhead is unavailable for the initial stages. For the first time in two years, the team must prove it can maintain its Cummins-era intensity without the man himself at the helm.
- Captain: Pat Cummins (Ishan Kishan – interim captain)
- Head coach: Daniel Vettori
- Best finishes: Champions (IPL 2016)
- Home ground: Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
- IPL 2025 result: 6th place
Sunrisers Hyderabad squad composition
The defining characteristic of SRH in 2026 is their blitzkrieg top order. The retention of the Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma partnership ensures that opposition bowlers will face the most daunting six overs in world cricket. Head, whose fearless approach decimated attacks in 2024, remains the primary aggressor, while Abhishek Sharma enters the season as the world’s top-ranked T20I batter. Their chemistry is the bedrock of Hyderabad’s strategy; if they survive the first four overs, a 200-plus total is almost a formality. In fact, SRH is backed to be the first team to cross the 300-run barrier in IPL.
The most significant addition to the top order is Ishan Kishan, who will lead the side in the absence of Pat Cummins. Kishan, who made a stunning debut for SRH in 2025 with a century against Rajasthan, provides a left-handed dynamic that allows the team to maintain a high scoring rate even if a wicket falls early. Behind them, the middle-order insurance is provided by Heinrich Klaasen, widely regarded as the premier spin-hitter in the game. The addition of Liam Livingstone, secured for a massive ₹13 crore in the mini-auction, provides the team with a secondary finisher who can also contribute vital overs of leg-spin and off-spin. He may not have experience as a captain in the IPL, but Kishan led Jharkhand to a historic, first Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy victory, beating Haryana in the 2025-26 final.
Bowling: Filling the Cummins void
While the batting looks impenetrable, the bowling attack faces an immediate test of depth. Pat Cummins is sidelined for the first half of the season with a lumbar stress injury, leaving a massive void in both the Powerplay and the leadership group. In his absence, the burden of the pace attack falls on Harshal Patel and the experienced Jaydev Unadkat. Harshal, who claimed 16 wickets last season and has been a past IPL Purple Cap winner as well, will be expected to lead the death-bowling duties, a role that becomes even more critical given the short boundaries at many IPL venues.
The x-factor in the pace department is the Sri Lankan slinger Eshan Malinga. Following a breakout debut season in 2025 where he picked up 13 wickets in just seven games, Malinga has received SLC clearance to lead the SRH attack in the early stages. His ability to nail yorkers at 145 clicks provides the wicket-taking threat that SRH occasionally lacked in the middle overs last year. The spin department is anchored by the young Zeeshan Ansari, who has emerged as a reliable replacement for the mystery spinners of the past. Supported by the left-arm orthodox of Harsh Dubey, SRH has a spin-web capable of squeezing teams on the dry Hyderabad tracks. Overall, a good bowling attack, which lacks enough experience right now.
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Dark horse: Aniket Verma
While the international stars grab the headlines, the uncapped Aniket Verma is the player to watch. Secured for a modest ₹30 lakh, Verma was a breakout star in IPL 2025, scoring 236 runs at an extraordinary strike rate of 166.20. His ability to clear the ropes from ball one makes him the perfect Impact Player candidate. If SRH finds itself in a middle-order muddle, Verma is the man expected to provide the momentum-shifting cameos that define T20 victories, while proving last year that he’s a great boundary fielder as well. If given a chance in IPL 2026, watch out for Salil Arora who made some big contributions with the bat for Punjab in the 2026 SMAT tournament.
Home ground advantage
The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium has traditionally been a high-scoring venue with a slight advantage for the team batting first. However, SRH’s recent dominance at home has been built on their ability to out-bat the opposition regardless of the conditions. For 2026, the track is expected to stay true to its reputation of being a batter’s paradise where the evening dew makes chasing difficult for the side bowling second. Punters should look closely at ‘Match Result – Team Batting First’ when SRH plays in Hyderabad, particularly if the Head-Abhishek duo is in form.
Analysis & betting tips
- To win the tournament: 8.00 (7/1). SRH are perpetual contenders because of their scoring rate. While the injury to Cummins has inflated their odds slightly on bookmakers like Mostbet, they offer excellent value for an “Each Way” bet. If they reach the play-offs, their power-hitters make them a nightmare for any opponent in a one-off game.
- Top batsman: Travis Head. He is the highest-volume boundary hitter in the squad. Given the true bounce of the pitches at the start of the summer, Head is a strong play for the Orange Cap and the ‘Most Sixes’ markets.
- Top bowler: Harshal Patel. With Cummins out, Harshal will bowl the most difficult overs. His slower-ball variations are particularly effective in the dry conditions of Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.
- Back SRH for ‘Highest 6-Over Score’ in all matches. They are the kings of the Powerplay, with Head and Abhishek always going berserk. Betting on them to outscore the opposition in the first six overs is one of the safest plays in the IPL markets.
Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL 2026 squad
Ishan Kishan (C), Pat Cummins, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, Brydon Carse, Eshan Malinga, Kamindu Mendis, Zeeshan Ansari, Harsh Dubey, Aniket Verma, R Smaran, Liam Livingstone, Salil Arora, Shivam Mavi, Sakib Hussain, Onkar Tarmale, Shivang Kumar, Amit Kumar, Praful Hinge, Krains Fuletra, David Payne.
Disclaimer: This squad list is accurate as of 26th March 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will Pat Cummins play the full IPL 2026 season? Ans. No, Pat Cummins is expected to miss the first half of the season due to a lumbar stress injury. Ishan Kishan will serve as the interim captain in his absence.
2. Who is the head coach of SRH for 2026? Ans. Daniel Vettori continues as the head coach and Director of Cricket for the 2026 season.
3. Is Liam Livingstone in the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad? Ans. Yes, Liam Livingstone was SRH’s biggest auction buy for the 2026 season, signed for ₹13 crore.
4. Why is SRH struggling? Ans. While they’ve had moments of brilliance and big team totals, SRH as a side has failed to be consistent. Their spin bowling weaponry could be better and in IPL 2026, they may struggle initially too, without their captain Pat Cummins for the first few games.
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