India, March 16 -- With uncertainty surrounding the availability of Pat Cummins for the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season, Sunrisers Hyderabad have reportedly identified Ishan Kishan as the frontrunner to lead the side.

According to a report in The Times of India, the franchise management has already discussed the matter internally and sees Kishan as the most capable option to captain the team if Cummins is unavailable.

The Australian fast bowler has been dealing with a lumbar stress back injury since July 2025 and has managed just one appearance - during the home The Ashes series last December - in the past eight months. The injury also forced him to miss Australia's campaign in the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

Kishan joi...