As the 19th edition of the book Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 as it approached, the focus shifted to the Orange Army. Since its inception in 2013, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has been a franchise defined by its bowling-first DNA and the ability to provide clinical, if sometimes conservative, leadership. from David Warner to the tactical calm of Kane Williamsonthe team has navigated different eras with varying levels of success. However, the 2026 season brings a new story.
Ishan Kishan will lead SRH in the first two games in the absence of Pat Cummins
In a significant development, the franchise has confirmed that India is an explosive wicket-taker. Ishan Kishi will lead Sunrisers Hyderabad for the opening matches of the season. This designation comes as a regular skipper Pat Cummins He continues to rehabilitate a back stress injury he suffered earlier in the Australian summer. Cummins, who led SRH to the final in 2024, is expected to join the squad later in the tournament.
Bought by SRH for ₹ 11.25 crore, Kishan enters the role at the peak of his powers. New sensational T20 World Cup 2026 In a campaign in which he scored 317 runs at a strike rate of 193.29 and led the way Jharkhand to their daughters Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy Kishan, who won the title in 2025, along with his deputy, represent a more aggressive, modern era of SRH management. Abhishek Sharma.
List of all Sunrisers Hyderabad captains till now
The captaincy at Sunrisers Hyderabad has often been a revolving door, reflecting the franchise’s search for the perfect balance between overseas stars and Indian mainstays. The journey began in 2013 with a dual captaincy approach and reached its peak in 2016 under Warner.
- Kumar Sangakkara (2013)
The legendary Sri Lankan took the reins first. While his tactical prowess was never in doubt, his personal form struggled in the shortest format. In 9 matches, he maintained a 44.44% win rate and led the team to 4 wins. Eventually, he was dropped from the popular XI to allow for better team balance.
- Cameron White (2013)
Starting in the middle of the season Kumar Sangakkara, Cameron White provided a brief but effective spark. In 8 games under his leadership, the team won 5, boasting a 62.5% win rate. He helped lead SRH to the playoffs in his debut season.
- Shikhar Dhawan (2013–2014)
“Gabbar” was given the captaincy to lead the Indian face. However, the added responsibility weighed on his natural talent. In 16 matches, the team has 7 wins, resulting in a 43.75% win rate. He eventually turned down the role to focus on his own batting.
- Darren Sammy (2014)
The two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain brought a Caribbean vibe to the camp. His tenure was short – just 4 matches – resulting in an even 2-2 record (50%-win ratio).
- David Warner (2015–2021)
Statistically and emotionally, Warner is the greatest captain in the history of SRH. He led the team in 67 matches and won 35 of them. His biggest achievement was the 2016 IPL Title. With a 53.73% winning percentage and three Orange Caps during his tenure, Warner’s legacy is synonymous with the golden era of the franchise.
Also READ: Kavya Mara’s 3 reasons why SRH named Ishan Kishi as captain in Pat Cummins’ absence
- Kane Williamson (2018–2022)
When Warner is unavailable, Kane Williamson the ‘captain’ walked in with a cool demeanor. He led the team to the 2018 finals and maintained a 48.91% winning percentage in 46 games. His tactical brilliance often compensated for the lack of raw pace in SRH’s arsenal.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2019–2023)
Veteran swing king Bhuvneshwar Kumar has played the role of a reliable support for several seasons. As a captain, he won 2 in 8 matches. While his individual brilliance remained, the team often struggled to find a rhythm under his interim leadership (25% win rate).
- Manish Pandey and Aiden Markram (2021–2023)
Manish Pandey lead for a single game (a loss), while Aiden Markram took office in 2023 after leading Sunrisers Eastern Cape to a title in SA20. Markram led in 13 games but found it difficult in the IPL, securing only 4 wins (30.76%).
- Pat Cummins (2024)
The switch to Cummins in 2024 turned SRH into a record-breaking powerhouse. Cummins brought a fearless Australian mentality, leading the team to the 2024 finals and maintaining a 51.72% win rate in 30 matches. His absence at the start of 2026 leaves a void of its own.
- Ishan Kishi (2025)
Kisha’s temporary rise is more than just a stopping point; is a test for the future. Being the world’s No. 2 T20I batsman, Kisha’s style of captaincy is expected to be “hyper-aggressive”. For a team that has only recently started posting 250+ scores regularly, Kisha’s instinct to attack from the first ball fits perfectly with the current SRH philosophy.
It remains to be seen whether he will be able to maintain the tactical discipline required to break through the middle distance, but with 24 wins in 29 T20s as captain at domestic level, the numbers suggest he is ready for the big stage.
Also READ: IPL: Complete list of all Rajasthan Royals (RR) captains so far ft. Riyan Parag and Sanju Samson
