Despite the recent injury threats, Pat Cummins is set to continue as the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for the IPL 2026 season. A recent social media post of SRH has hinted about their decision to trust captain Cummins for another season. 

In the previous Indian Premier League campaign (IPL 2025), where on pen and paper SRH probably had the best batting attack, they could not even qualify for the round of four. After that it was speculated that the team management could change in the leadership role. But their recent social media post has suggested that the Australian star will continue with them as their leader. Despite the setback in IPL 2025, SRH team management holds on to their key members for another season. 

Pat Cummins has been recovering from injury, eyeing getting back into competitive matches through the 2nd Test of The Ashes. As per reports, the pacer has already started his blowing practice. In his absence, Steven Smith will lead Australia in the series opener against England from November 21. The 31-year-old took over SRH's captaincy in 2024 after being acquired for a staggering INR 20.50 crore at the auction. It will be his third consecutive season as the SRH captain. 

P.S. 𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 😉🧡

Pat Cummins | #PlayWithFire pic.twitter.com/r4gtlypAY9

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) November 17, 2025

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Sunrisers Hyderabad squad for IPL 2026 ahead of the mini auction: 

Players Retained: Pat Cummins (c), Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Aniket Verma, R. Smaran, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Kamindu Mendis, Harshal Patel, Brydon Carse, Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga, Zeeshan Ansari.

Players Released: Adam Zampa, Rahul Chahar, Wiaan Mulder, Abhinav Manohar, Atharva Taide, Sachin Baby, Simarjeet Singh.

Traded Out: Mohammed Shami to Lucknow Super Giants.

Remaining Purse: Rs 25.5 crore.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has released their roster for the IPL 2026. The organization wants to continue their momentum from recent campaigns and solve their situations with inconsistency. The main core of players were kept, including senior leader Pat Cummins, explosive opener Abhishek Sharma and powerhouse batter Travis Head. All three players have been vital to the team, while contributing significantly both with the bat and in leadership roles at the top of the order.

Travis Head played 13 matches last season, making 374 runs at a good strike rate of 162.61. Abhishek Sharma was even better, scoring 439 runs in 14 matches at an average of 33.77 and a strike rate of 193.39. Along with Cummins, the trio gives SRH a strong mix of experience, confidence, and attacking cricket that they will bank upon once again in IPL 2026.

In a key trade-off, SRH exchanged fast bowler Mohammed Shami for Lucknow Super Giants. The SRH had bought Shami for ₹10 crore in the 2025 auction, but an off-form Shami went on to take just 6 wickets in 9 games while giving away too many runs. SRH also released two key spinners, Adam Zampa and Rahul Chahar — in their list to restructure the bowling unit.

SRH Retentions, Releases and Auction Plans for IPL 2026

SRH have focused on keeping their strong batters and reliable all-rounders. They also kept main bowlers who fit well into their system. At the same time, they released players who did not have a big impact last season. The team is now looking forward to the mini-auction, where they can fill the remaining gaps.

With a strong group retained and Shami traded out, SRH now have a large purse of ₹25.5 crore entering the IPL 2026 mini-auction. This gives them the flexibility to target big names or fill multiple positions as needed.

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SRH Retained Players for IPL 2026

Sunrisers Hyderabad have retained Pat Cummins as captain along with Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Aniket Verma, R. Smaran, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Kamindu Mendis, Harshal Patel, Brydon Carse, Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga and Zeeshan Ansari.

SRH Released Players for IPL 2026

The released players include Adam Zampa, Rahul Chahar, Wiaan Mulder, Abhinav Manohar, Atharva Taide, Sachin Baby and Simarjeet Singh.

SRH Traded Players for IPL 2026

Sunrisers Hyderabad have traded out Mohammed Shami to the Lucknow Super Giants.

SRH Auction Purse for IPL 2026 

SRH will enter the IPL 2026 mini-auction with a remaining purse of ₹25.5 crore.

In another high-profile deal of an India player, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have agreed to trade the premier pacer, Mohammad Shami, to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The reports have claimed that it would be an all-cash deal with the Lucknow side paying INR 10 crore, the price Shami was bought for in the mega auction of the IPL 2025 last year.

Both franchises have agreed on the principle of the trade, pending Shami’s consent. The league has set 3 pm on November 15 as the deadline for the franchise to submit the list of players they would release for the 2026 season. He didn’t get his spot back for the national side in the longest format despite looking in a decent rhythm.

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Last year, the Bengal pacer played nine of SRH’s 14 encounters and took only six wickets at an average of 56.16 with an economy rate of 11.23. His economy at the Ranjiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad was 12.35 as he went for 0/75 in the second-most expensive spell of IPL history against the Punjab Kings.

Mohammad Shami traded to Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026

Shami made a strong impact for the Gujarat Titans during the 2022-24 season. In 2022 and 2023, he picked up 28 wickets in the first six overs; the next best of the phase was Trent Boult with 20 wickets, while Mohammad Siraj grabbed 15 wickets. He missed the IPL 2024 with an injury before going through a woeful performance in 2025.

At LSG, Shami will rejoin the forces of the former India bowling head coach, Bharat Arun, who is the talent development head of the franchise. Arun worked impressively and incredibly hard with Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, and Mohammad Siraj to enhance their skills with the bat.

Shami is the second big-player trade this week, with the first one being Chennai Super Kings’ Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran swapping with Sanju Samson. Shami will now play under the leadership of Rishabh Pant as they look for a better performance in the upcoming edition.

India’s brutal wicket-keeper batter, Ishan Kishan, experienced a hot and cold campaign during the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The left-handed batter has smashed 354 runs in 13 innings at an average of 35.40 and a strike rate of 152.58 with the help of one century and one fifty. 

Kishan started the campaign with the century against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) before ending the season with a fifty against the Kolkata Knight Riders. However, the former Indian star, Mohammad Kaif, reckoned that the issue would lie in Kishan’s batting position.

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“Ishan Kishan is a better batter at Wankhede. He will open if he plays for the Mumbai Indians. At the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), he is batting at number three, and there is a huge difference. Despite taking him for a high price, Hyderabad haven’t been able to give him the right slot.” Kaif expressed during a video on his YouTube channel.

Mohammad Kaif sheds light on Ishan Kishan’s probable comeback to Mumbai Indians

Kaif addressed that Kishan would be a perfect fit for the franchise and player. As an opening batter, the southpaw has bagged 2998 runs in 112 innings at an average of nearly 30 and a strike rate of 137.64, with the help of 17 half-centuries and one century at the best score of 106*.

“Maybe Ishan himself would want to go to Mumbai if a deal is possible. For MI, it’s a great option- having an Indian opener and wicket-keeper allows flexibility with foreign players.” Kaif addressed Kishan, who was picked by the franchise for a price of INR 11.25 crore in the auction, as he recalled the moment of meeting Abhishek Sharma.

“I straightaway called Abhishek Sharma and asked what they expected. He said, ‘Just hit every ball, that’s your job, enjoy your game.’ That’s the best part about this team.” Kishan shared after the fixture against the Rajasthan Royals. In 197 innings of the T20s, the southpaw has clubbed 5270 runs at an average of nearly 29 and a strike rate of 134.26 with 29 fifties and four centuries at the best score of unbeaten 113 runs.

Before the auction of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) decided to retain the wicket-keeper batter, Heinrich Klassen, for a price of INR 23 crore, which was INR 5 crore more than what they paid for the leader, Pat Cummins. But the reports have claimed that he could well be released into the pool ahead of the mini auction next month. 

The Sunrisers Hyderabad camp has remained silent over the former Protea batter, Heinrich Klassen, as multiple IPL franchises have picked up the serious chatter and have included the right-handed batter in their wish-list. The 34-year-old retired from international cricket. Even though he smashed 105 runs off 39 balls against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)- the last game of the season for SRH- the brisk cameos didn’t convert into consistent big knocks.

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It could prove to be a baffling decision for the Hyderabad management to leave out Klassen, whom they actually think to get back for INR 15 crore to beef up the purse. It, however, won’t be surprising if Hyderabad goes madly after the batter or the price somehow crosses that INR 15 crore slab.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to release Heinrich Klassen ahead of IPL 2026

Klassen has smashed 1480 runs in 45 IPL innings at an average of 40 and a strike rate of 169.72 with seven fifties and two centuries. Last year, he drilled 487 runs at an average of 44.27 and a strike rate of 172.69.

“Going into the auction with Rs 23 crore more allows them a reasonable shot to fill in the crucial gaps - assemble a penetrating bowling attack and get their middle-order act right. They can even have a fair shot at getting the South African back (for) around Rs 15 crore, and the balance can help them do some effective shopping.” The developments, as quoted by the Times of India, were revealed.

Klassen will remain the talking point before the retained list if finalized. The Hyderabad management is also anticipated to part ways with Mohamed Shami and Harshal Patel, two big buys for them, in the previous edition. Even Rahul Chahar is anticipated to find his name in the mini auction. 

The preparations for IPL 2026 are in full swing, and all ten teams are busy building their squads for the next season. Reports say the BCCI has set November 15 as the deadline for player retentions.

Right now, the trade window is still open, and according to recent reports, three teams Mumbai Indians (MI), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are showing strong interest in Ishan Kishan, who is currently with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The left-hander was bought by SRH for ₹11.25 crore in the IPL 2025 auction. A report from The Times of India mentioned that MI want to bring Ishan back, while KKR and RR are also keeping a close eye on him.

Why is Ishan Kishan in high demand?

Ishan is one of the most sought-after players because he can keep wickets and open the batting a combination many teams want. In the 2025 season, he scored 354 runs in 13 innings with an average of 35.40, proving his worth as a consistent performer. Every team wants a player who can give quick starts at the top.

Last season, Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton opened the innings for MI. But with Rohit turning 39 next year, the team is looking for a young Indian opener for the future. Rickelton has done well, but having someone like Ishan as a backup or long-term option makes perfect sense for MI.

The Rajasthan Royals may face a big change in their lineup, as reports suggest Sanju Samson might leave the team. If that happens, RR will need a quality Indian batter who can also take up wicketkeeping duties. Ishan fits that role perfectly and can add strength to their top order.

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The Kolkata Knight Riders are facing problems at the top of the order. Their current openers, Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, haven’t been in good form and also take up two overseas player spots. Signing Ishan would solve both issues he can open the innings and also free up an overseas slot for the team.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) young all-rounder Harsh Dubey carried his stunning form into the Irani Cup final. He took 6 wickets in the final match of the tournament and helped Vidharbha to win against the Rest of India. In the 2nd innings of the match, Dubey claimed 4 wickets to go with the first-innings brace. 

Vidharbha emerged as the winner of the Irani Cup 2025, defeating the Rest of India. The match was a thrilling encounter, differentiated by some individuals' brilliance, including the brilliant spells by Harsh Dubey, though it was Atharva Taide who was named as the best player of the match for his first-innings 143-run innings. 

Batting first, Vidharbha scored 342 runs, powered by Atharva's hundred-plus-run innings. In reply, the Rest of India registered 214 runs. The first-inning lead for Vidharbha shaped the match for them to lift the trophy. During the first innings of the Rest of India, Yash Thakur plucked 4 wickets. In the second innings, Vidharbha and the Rest of India scored 232 runs and 267 runs, respectively. Vidharbha, led by Akshay Wadkar, won the final by 93 runs. 

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Harsh Dubey stepped up during the high time of the match. When the rest of India was chasing a challenging target of 361 runs, the emerging all-rounder cleared Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ishan Kishan, Akash Deep, and Gurnoor Brar. 

The 23-year-old has been in splendid form from the beginning of this year. In the last ten matches, including the Irani Cup 2025 final, he bagged 20 wickets. During the 2nd semifinal of the Duleep Trophy 2025, he took 6 wickets for Central Zone and scored 75 runs as well. Against the Northeast Zone, he picked 4 wickets in the Duleep Trophy. Dubey represented the India A team as well against the Australia A team and the England Lions. 

When expectations mounted around experienced pacer Prasidh Krishna, a young Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder took the spotlight by taking 3 wickets during India A vs Australia A (IND A vs AUS A) 1st unofficial Test in Lucknow. 

Harsh Dubey picked up 3 wickets at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. The match is considered equally important for both of the teams, as there are multiple talents who can be in contention to be a part of India's main team setup. Dubey is undoubtedly one of them. The 23-year-old all-rounder caught everyone by surprise when he had 3 wickets in his bag after the end of the first innings. 

From the beginning of the innings, Australia A was well under control with their openers Sam Konstas and Campbell Kellaway. Konstas already made his name as an exciting talent who played an entertaining 60-run innings against India in 2024 in Melbourne. Konstas, who is now playing for the Australia A team, scored a 109-run knock against India A, and his opening partner Campbell got 88 off 97. 

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3 wickets for Harsh Dubey against Australia A

Dubey helped India A to get rid of dangerous Sam Konstas after clinching the scalp of Australia A team skipper Nathan McSweeney. Like Konstas, McSweeney also gained Test experience last year against India. Dubey dismissed both of the batters from the crease. McSweeney went back to the pavilion after making only 1 run. The third Australian batter who fell short against Harsh was Cooper Connolly, who scored 70 against 84 deliveries. 

Who is Harsh Dubey?

Harsh Dubey is a slow left-arm orthodox bowler who played for Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Maharashtra-born player played 3 matches for the team in IPL 2025. It was his debut IPL season for the all-rounder. In these 3 matches, he bagged 5 wickets in total, including the best figure of 3/34. In first-class cricket, he has 108 wickets in 21 matches to his name. 

The runners-up of the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Sunrisers Hyderabad, who went though an excellent season thanks to some incredible batting and bowling performances under the captaincy of Pat Cummins, couldn’t repeat the same dominance in the recent edition and ended at the sixth position in the points table to earn just six victories in 14 encounters at a net run rate of -0.241. 

Sunrisers started their campaign with a 44-run IPL victory against the Rajasthan Royals at home before facing four successive defeats in the event. By the time they grabbed three consecutive victories in the business end of the competition against Lucknow, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, it was too late for the side.

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Looking ahead to the 2026 edition, Hyderabad will need to make some changes to the playing eleven and, more importantly, to the squad. They could also leave a few players with an aim to get them back for a low price during the mini auction of the next season.

Let’s take a look at the five players that the Sunrisers Hyderabad might release before IPL 2026, featuring Ishan Kishan.

5. Ishan Kishan

The left-handed Indian wicket-keeper batter, Ishan Kishan, came into the franchise for a huge price of INR 11.25 crore and scored a century in the opening clash against Rajasthan. But he couldn’t hold the same form and rhythm for the rest of the season and ended with just 354 runs in 13 innings at an average of 35.40 and a strike rate of 152.58.

Kishan has scored over 300 runs in the last four editions of the tournament. The SRH management can aim to get the batter back in the squad during the mini auction. On many occasions, the southpaw struggled to get going from the start, which was a concern for the franchise.

4. Mohammed Shami

During a recent interaction with India’s veteran and one of the premier pacers, Mohammed Shami, the fast bowler revealed that he could keep cards and doors open to get selected in other franchises for the next season of the IPL. The right-arm pacer couldn’t find his right line and length in most games and was bashed for several runs, which cost the 2016 champions in the power play.

Shami, who has collected 133 IPL wickets in 119 innings at an average of under 29 and a strike rate of below 20 with an economy rate of 8.63, thanks to the two four-wicket hauls in an inning, has bagged only six scalps in nine innings in 2025 at an economy rate of over 11.

Looking at how Shami has performed in his international career in recent years, it would be wiser for the franchise to leave the Bengal pacer and get him back for a lower price than INR 10 crore.

3. Abhinav Manorhar

Abhinav Manohar, the former Gujarat Titans player, came to the Sunrisers Hyderabad side last season for a price of INR 3.20 crore. He was known for his incredible aggression with the bat in the lower order to help the franchise give a good finish. But he somehow failed to repeat the same thing during the last edition of the event.

Manohar, who clubbed 114 runs in six IPL innings at an average of 19 and a strike rate of over 137 in 2023, got just 61 runs in five innings of the IPL 2025 at a strike rate of only 100. On many occasions, he failed to offer them a good finish in the lower order.

Either the Sunrisers could think of changing the player or bring him back for a lower price for the new edition.

2. Adam Zampa

It’s incredibly hard to believe how the veteran Australian leg spinner, Adam Zampa, despite being one of the successful white-ball bowlers of the national side, hasn’t been able to crack the IPL code yet. Sunrisers brought him after releasing Wanindu Hasaranga. But the 33-year-old in two innings of the IPL 2025 picked up only a couple of wickets at an average of 47 and an economy rate of nearly 12.

Zampa’s T20 experience isn’t new, with him collecting 386 wickets in 307 T20 innings at an average of 21.53 and an economy rate of 7.48. Hyderabad can think of getting better options than the spinner, whom they bagged for a price of INR 2.40 crore.

1. Rahul Chahar

The 26-year-old Indian leg spinner, Rahul Chahar, was at times one of the vital members of the eleven for the Mumbai Indians when they won the IPL 2020. But his form has gone down in the last couple of seasons of the league.

In 2025, he came to the franchise for a price of INR 3.20 crore and could not open his account in the solitary game he played at the Wankhede against the Mumbai franchise. Even in that clash, he bowled just one over, and he could be one of the bowlers to get left out of the side.

The star fast bowler of the Indian side, Mohammed Shami, went through a poor 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), as he kept struggling with several injuries under the leadership of Pat Cummins. Getting roped in for INR 10 crore in the mega auction, Shami featured in nine games to pick up six wickets at an average of 56.16.

Shami is uncertain about his future for the IPL in the Orange Army as the franchise could look to refuse the bowling services of the veteran, who has not been picked since the end of the Asia Cup for the national side during the Test series in England, and was omitted from the 15-member squad of the Asia Cup 2025.

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“I’m ready to play for any team that raises the paddle for me (at the auction). There is nothing in my hands. It is IPL, the festival of cricket, and it is entertainment for people. Whoever lifts the paddle for you, go along with them.” The Bengal pacer expressed on News24.

Mohammed Shami drops bombshell on IPL 2026 future for SRH

The best season for the pacer in IPL history came in 2023 when Shami, playing for the Gujarat Titans, picked up 28 wickets in 17 innings at an average of under 19 and an average of 18.3 with an economy rate of eight. He now has a total of 133 scalps in 119 IPL innings at 28.18 with an economy rate of under nine.

In his entire IPL career, Shami has represented five IPL franchises. In IPL 2013, he debuted for the Kolkata Knight Riders before featuring for Delhi Capitals till 2018, where he wasn’t a regular in the side. He featured in three seasons for Punjab and bagged 58 wickets in 42 games for the side.

In the upcoming edition of the event, a few franchises will look for a veteran Indian pacer, and Mohammed Shami could be among the top five choices of those franchises. Lucknow Super Giants may get a huge sum of money with them having no update on their young sensational Mayank Yadav, as they are likely to release Akash Deep, who they roped in for INR 8 crore.