Big boost for SRH as Pat Cummins gets fitness clearance before CSK clash

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have finally got the news they were waiting for. Pat Cummins has been cleared to play in IPL 2026 after fresh scans in Sydney confirmed that his back issue has fully healed. The Australian captain will return to India on April 17 and rejoin the SRH squad without any bowling restrictions.

It is a significant development, especially considering the uncertainty around his availability over the past two weeks. As reported earlier, Cummins had flown back to Australia after linking up with the squad briefly to undergo detailed medical tests and secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Cricket Australia.

Those scans have now come back clean. But even with the clearance, his immediate return to the playing XI isn’t straightforward.

Pat Cummins’ scans and words don’t align

Before the Cricbuzz report, Cummins revealed during an Instagram interaction on April 15 that he is “aiming for the 25th vs RR”, effectively ruling himself out of the immediate fixtures despite now being medically cleared to play. The Australian quick is set to fly back to India on April 17 and link up with the squad.

However, scans came almost a day after Cummins wrote on his Instagram that he is aiming for the 25th April clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR). Cummins’ own words suggest he isn’t in a rush, and he may not play the April 18th game against CSK.

SRH next 3 IPL 2026 fixtures

Cummins hasn’t played a competitive match since the Ashes and even skipped the T20 World Cup to focus on recovery. His rehab has been gradual, with a controlled increase in bowling loads rather than a full-throttle return. Even though the scans have come back clean, match readiness is a separate call.

There is also the larger CA pattern this season. Mitchell Starc is still waiting on his NOC, Cameron Green had bowling restrictions early on, and Cooper Connolly has only been cleared as a batter. Cummins, as Australia’s all-format captain, is being handled even more carefully. Which explains why, despite landing in India on April 17, he is unlikely to be thrown straight into the XI against CSK a day later or even against Delhi Capitals on April 21.

For SRH, though, the situation isn’t as alarming as it once looked. When Cummins left, the bowling unit seemed thin. Two weeks later, Sakib Hussain and Praful Hinge have both picked four-wicket hauls on debut, and the side has steadied after an early wobble. Ishan Kishan has managed the transition well as stand-in captain.