India, March 17 -- The uncertainty around Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood has become an early IPL 2026 storyline, affecting not just two major squads but also the opening fixture itself. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad are due to meet on March 28, yet both have been preparing with the possibility that their first-choice Australian quick may not be available for the opening stretch of the season.

That makes this more than a routine injury-management issue. Hazlewood and Cummins are not fringe overseas names who can be swapped out without consequence. Hazlewood gives RCB control, discipline and high-value overs across phases. Cummins gives SRH similar bowling value, but also carries the added weight of captaincy. The cha...