Australian all-rounder Pat Cummins has temporarily left the Indian Premier League (IPL) to return to Australia for medical assessment, raising fresh concerns over his ongoing back injury. The Sunrisers Hyderabad player is yet to feature in this season’s tournament due to fitness issues, and his latest move is aimed at gaining clarity on his recovery timeline.
According to reports from ESPNcricinfo, Cummins travelled to Australia to undergo a scheduled scan on his back under the supervision of Cricket Australia. The scan, which had been pre-planned, is expected to determine the severity of the injury and confirm whether he can resume competitive cricket in the coming weeks.
If the results are favourable, Cummins is anticipated to rejoin the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad by 17 April. His departure followed Hyderabad’s emphatic 65-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders on 2 April, after which he flew out of India.
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Injury Concerns and Recovery Timeline
Cummins had earlier indicated that he would miss the initial phase of the IPL due to his back injury but remained hopeful of returning later in the tournament, particularly for the crucial knockout stages. Despite being absent from match action, he was seen bowling during training sessions prior to Hyderabad’s opening fixture against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on 28 March, signalling gradual progress in his recovery.
However, his decision to undergo further medical evaluation suggests that the injury may require closer monitoring. The Australian pacer has struggled with fitness since sustaining the back issue in July last year, limiting his appearances in international and franchise cricket.
His only competitive outing in recent months came during the third Test of the The Ashes in December. Although he had initially planned to return during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year, complications forced him to withdraw, further delaying his comeback.
Leadership and Team Adjustments
In Cummins’ absence, wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan has taken over leadership duties for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The franchise has confirmed that Kishan will continue as captain until Cummins regains full fitness and is cleared to play.
Hyderabad have had to reshuffle their bowling resources, relying on overseas pacers Ishan Malinga and David Payne to spearhead the pace attack. While the team has shown resilience, Cummins’ absence remains a significant gap, particularly given his experience and leadership credentials.
Current Standings and Upcoming Fixtures
Sunrisers Hyderabad are currently positioned sixth in the IPL standings, having secured one win from two matches and accumulating two points. Their next fixture is scheduled against Lucknow Super Giants, a match that could prove crucial in shaping their early campaign.
At the top of the table, Punjab Kings lead with four points, reflecting a strong start to their season.
Key Match and Injury Update Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Pat Cummins |
| Team | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Tournament | Indian Premier League (IPL) |
| Issue | Back injury |
| Action Taken | Returned to Australia for scan |
| Expected Return | Around 17 April (subject to fitness) |
| Interim Captain | Ishan Kishan |
| Current Team Position | 6th (2 points from 2 matches) |
| Next Match | vs Lucknow Super Giants |
As the IPL progresses, Cummins’ fitness will be closely monitored by both his franchise and national selectors. His potential return could provide a significant boost to Sunrisers Hyderabad’s campaign, particularly during the latter stages of the tournament. Until then, the team must rely on its existing resources to maintain momentum in one of the world’s most competitive T20 leagues.