Cummins, Head likely to rejoin SRH for remainder of IPL 2025

The Australian pair of Pat Cummins and Travis Head are likely to rejoin the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad ahead of IPL 2025's resumption on May 17. They were among the contingent of overseas players who had left India once the IPL was suspended on May 9 for one week due to cross-border tensions with Pakistan.

Both players were named in Australia's Test squad for the Word Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's from June 11, raising questions over whether they would return for the IPL considering SRH are already out of contention for the playoffs. The decision to resume the season was announced on May 11, after the cease fire between India and Pakistam.

It is understood that Cummins, the SRH captain, and Head, have told the franchise they will fly back to India. "Pat has a responsibility as captain of the franchise and is looking at returning," Cummins' manager Neil Maxwell told News Corp on Tuesday.

Ben Oliver, Cricket Australia's head of national teams, said while it was an "extreme situation" the board would "work with players on their individual decision to return to India or not" over the next two days.

There is no confirmation yet on whether SRH's other overseas players - Heinrich Klaasen, Eshan Malinga, Kamindu Mendis and Wiaan Mulder - will rejoin the squad. Mulder was also named in South Africa's Test squad for the WTC final.

Having finished as runners-up in 2024, SRH struggled in IPL 2025 and are currently eighth on the points table with just three wins in 11 matches. Their remaining three fixtures are all away games: in Lucknow against LSG (May 19), in Bengaluru against RCB (May 23) and against KKR in Delhi (May 25).

The IPL released the revised schedule for the remainder of the season on May 12: there are 13 league games to go, in addition to the four playoff fixtures. The rest of the league phase will be played at six venues - Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru - while the venues for the playoffs have not yet been announced. The dates for the playoffs are as follows: Qualifier 1 on May 29, the Eliminator on May 30, Qualifier 2 on June 1 and the final on June 3.