Vettori backs Kishan to thrive as captain in Cummins’ absence

Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Daniel Vettori believes captaincy will bring the best out of Ishan Kishan, both as a batter and wicketkeeper, as he leads the side in IPL 2026.

Kishan has taken charge of SRH in the absence of Pat Cummins, who is expected to join the playing XI only in the second half of the tournament. Despite not being available on the field, Cummins has remained with the squad and continues to contribute to leadership discussions, providing valuable guidance.

Vettori expressed confidence in Kishan’s leadership, suggesting that the added responsibility could elevate his overall game. “He loves leadership and being out there,” Vettori said, adding that captaincy can have a “real positive effect” on his batting and keeping.

Kishan has already shown strong form, beginning IPL 2026 with an explosive 80 off 38 balls. Since returning to India’s T20I setup earlier this year, he has also been prolific, underlining his growing influence in the format.

Vettori highlighted Kishan’s aggressive approach as a key strength, noting his ability to dominate both pace and spin. “There’s no style of bowling that he’s ineffective against,” he said, pointing to the pressure Kishan puts on bowlers from the outset.

Looking ahead to SRH’s clash with Kolkata Knight Riders, Vettori also stressed the importance of handling KKR’s experienced spin duo, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, despite their recent struggles.

With leadership backing from Cummins and growing confidence in his own game, Kishan now has an opportunity to establish himself not just as a key player, but as a long-term leader for SRH in the IPL.