Cummins is currently dealing with a persistent back injury. During the ongoing Ashes 2025–26the Australian skipper played in only one Test, missing the first two matches and then being ruled out of the final two after the third match to protect his long-term fitness. With Australia’s busy international schedule and Cummins’ importance across all formats, SRH cannot afford to be caught unprepared.
Why does SRH need a strong contingency plan?
Replacing Cummins is not just about finding another fast bowler abroad. His value to SRH went far beyond wickets. Cummins brought calm leadership, tactical clarity and a ruthless edge that perfectly complemented SRH’s fearless batting line-up. If he misses IPL 2026, the void would be both psychological and tactical.
Fortunately for the Oranje, the unsold pool from the IPL 2026 auction offers several high-quality options. These players may not exactly copy Cummins, but they can help SRH maintain the aggressive blueprint that has defined their resurgence.
3 players SRH can sign to replace Pat Cummins for IPL 2026
1) Gerald Coetzee
If SRH want to maintain the ‘fear factor’ that Cummins has injected into their pace attack, Gerald Coetzee stands out as the most natural fit. One of the surprises of the 2026 auction was that Coetzee remained unsold at his base price of ₹2 crore, despite his proven impact at the international level.
Why SRH should sign him: Coetzee perfectly reflects the current SRH culture. He bowls with hostility, thrives on confrontation and hits hard lengths that force batters onto the back foot. Like Cummins, he brings visible intensity that takes the entire bowling unit to the next level.
Replacement value: Coetzee offers long-term returns from an early age. He’s no problem with the bat either, capable of delivering some big hits at number 8 – a trait SRH values highly in Cummins during tight games.
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2) Alzarri Joseph
Another big name that slipped through the cracks during the 2026 auction was Alzarri Joseph. Because the franchises were spoiled with foreign profits, Joseph found no takers, but for SRH he could be a strategic goldmine.
Why SRH should sign him: Cummins’ biggest weapon was his ability to exploit bounce, especially on cleaner surfaces. Joseph offers the same attribute in abundance. With a speed consistently above 145 km/h, he can intimidate top orders and set the tone early.
Tactical fit: SRH play half of their matches in Hyderabad where bounce can be a deciding factor. With explosive hitters like Travis Head at the top, the team needs a bowler who can apply instant pressure. Joseph, who still holds the record for the best bowling figures in IPL history, fits into that role seamlessly.
3) Daryl Mitchell
While speed is an obvious concern, SRH could also look to replace Cummins’ leadership presence in place of his raw skills. In that context Daryl Mitchell emerges as an intriguing option. Despite being unsold for ₹2 crore, Mitchell brings immense tactical depth.
Why it fits: With Liam Livingstone already part of the SRH line-up for 2026, Mitchell adds balance rather than brute strength. He is among the best players of spin in world cricket and acts as a stabilizing bridge between SRH’s explosive openers and power hitters.
The ‘Moose’ Factor: Mitchell’s clever cricketing brain could go some way to compensating for Cummins’ absence. His medium tempo variations are effective on slower songs and provide SRH flexibility when the fast tempo is turned off.
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