IPL 2026: Three Players SRH can sign to replace Pat Cummins if he misses out

Pat Cummins has been managing a back stress injury that originated after Australia's tour of the West Indies in July 2025.

He missed the first two Ashes Tests but returned for the third Test in Adelaide,

where he took 6 wickets and helped secure an 82-run victory, clinching the series 3-0 for Australia.

Following that match, selectors rested him for the remaining fourth and fifth Tests to avoid the high risk of aggravating the injury with back-to-back Tests so soon after his rushed recovery. Steve Smith has taken over captaincy duties in his absence.

The Australian pacer has been struggling with injury and with the ODI World Cup in a year's time, Cummins may well be focusing mostly on international cricket. In that case, if he is required, Cummins can also skip the IPL 2026 season.

Although the Aussie is the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, if situation arises for him to manage workload, the long IPL season may be the one he chooses to pass. For SRH, who have a formidable squad, it will be a big blow. In that case, they will have to bring in someone from the unsold pool, as a number of players didn't have any suitors in the mini auction. Here are three players who SRH can bring in to replace Pat Cummins for IPL 2026 season.

Gerald Coetzee

South Africa pacer Gerald Coetzee can fill in as Pat Cummins' replacement. The pacer also possesses decent batting ability down the order, which would fit the replacement profile for SRH. Coetzee was part of Mumbai Indians in the season before and has so far played 14 IPL matches, with 15 wickets in them.

Sean Abbott

The Australian pacer with pace and flair, can be a replacement for Pat Cummins in the SRH side. Previously with the likes of RCB, Abbott was part of the SRH team as well in the past. The 33-year-old only has three IPL appearances to his name, but his recent form in the T20Is against New Zealand was decent. Known for his fiery pace, the Aussie can lit up Hyderabad if he gets an opportunity.

William O'Rourke

New Zealand pacer William O'Rourke has the quality in T20 cricket in abundance. Primarily known for his Test exploits, the 24-year-old has 7 wickets in seven matches for the Kiwis in T20Is, with an economy of under 7. He was part of Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025, where he picked up a three-fer against Gujarat Titans. His subsequent match against RCB cost him 74 runs in four overs, but the pacer is far better than that. If SRH search for swing up top, O'Rourke can be a serious weapon for them.