Pat Cummins has confirmed that he will miss the start of IPL 2026 but is aiming to return for the second half of the tournament. He said that if his recovery goes well, he expects to play “the back half plus the finals.”
Cummins is still recovering from a lumbar stress injury that had earlier ruled him out of the T20 World Cup. Since then, he has played only one competitive match, which was during the Ashes in December. Right now, he has started bowling again and is following a recovery plan where he bowls every third day. He is following a plan where he bowls every third day to slowly build fitness.
He has clearly said he will not play the opening matches. His target is to return around the middle of the tournament. If recovery goes well, he wants to play the second half and also be available for the playoffs.
During his absence, Ishan Kishan will lead Sunrisers Hyderabad as captain. Cummins has supported this decision and trusts him to handle the team.
For Sunrisers Hyderabad, this is a big early setback because Cummins is both captain and a key bowler, but the plan is to have him back when the tournament reaches its important stage.
Pat Cummins Targets Mid-IPL 2026 Return While Recovering from Back Stress Injury
Pat Cummins is dealing with a lumbar bone stress injury in his lower back, which started in July 2025. This type of injury happens when repeated stress from fast bowling creates small damage in the spine faster than the body can heal it. Over time, this can lead to tiny cracks in the bone, and if it gets worse, it can become a more serious fracture.
Fast bowlers face this problem a lot because their action puts heavy pressure on the lower back. The constant twisting, extension, and impact during bowling increase the risk. Cummins’ injury followed this pattern, first appearing during the West Indies tour and then getting worse during the Ashes, where he could play only one Test.
Because of this injury, he had to miss the T20 World Cup 2026. Scans showed the issue needed more time to settle, even after an early recovery attempt. The injury recovery depends on the body’s natural bone healing cycle, which usually takes around 120 to 200 days.
Now his recovery is moving forward. He has returned to India, started light training, and resumed bowling in the nets. He is following a controlled plan where he bowls every third day to slowly increase workload.
He has made it clear that he will not play the start of IPL 2026. His aim is to return by the middle of the tournament. If recovery continues without problems, he expects to play the second half and the finals.
He is also being careful with his words, often saying “if nothing goes wrong,” which shows the injury is not fully behind him yet and still needs proper management.
Pat Cummins’ IPL 2025 Season: Strong Finish with Wickets
Pat Cummins had a mixed IPL 2025 season. He played 14 matches and took 16 wickets, which made him joint-highest wicket-taker for Sunrisers Hyderabad. His best bowling was 3/19. He bowled 49.4 overs and gave away 450 runs. His average was 28.13, economy 9.06, and strike rate 18.63.
With the bat, he scored 97 runs at a strong strike rate of 167.24. He had quick cameos like 22* off 9 balls and 18 off 4 balls, showing his hitting ability.
His season started poorly. In the first six matches, he took only 4 wickets with a very high average of 56.50 and economy of 10.93. He even went wicketless in three games.
In the second half, his performance improved. He picked up more wickets and finished strong, including his best spell against Delhi Capitals.
Even with that improvement, his economy stayed high at 9.06. He gave away 40+ runs in 5 matches, which shows he was expensive.
FAQs
Q. Why will Cummins miss the start of IPL 2026?
A. Cummins will miss it because he is recovering from a back injury.
Q. When is Pat Cummins expected to return?
A. Pat Cummins is aiming to come back around the middle of the tournament.
Q. Will Pat Cummins play later in IPL 2026?
A. Yes, Cummins hopes to play the second half and possibly the finals.
Q. Who will captain Sunrisers Hyderabad in his absence?
A. Ishan Kishan will lead the team.
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