The Australian duo of Pat Cummins and Travis Head are expected to reunite with the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) team prior to the resumption of IPL 2025 on May 17. Along with other overseas players, they had departed from India after the suspension of IPL on May 9 due to heightened tensions with Pakistan.
Australia’s Test squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord’s from June 11 included both players, leading to doubts about their availability for the IPL. This was announced on May 11, following the peace agreement between India and Pakistan, despite SRH already being ruled out of the playoffs.
Cummins, captain of SRH, and Head have informed the franchise that they will return to India. As captain of the team, Pat has a duty and is considering going back,” explained Neil Maxwell, Cummins’ manager, in a statement to News Corp on Tuesday.
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According to Ben Oliver, head of national teams at Cricket Australia, although the situation is extreme, the board will collaborate with players on their personal choices regarding whether to return to India within the next 48 hours.
At this time, there is still uncertainty surrounding the return of SRH’s other international players – Heinrich Klaasen, Eshan Malinga, Kamindu Mendis, and Wiaan Mulder. It should be noted that Mulder has also been included in South Africa’s Test team for the upcoming WTC final.
After being IPL 2024 runners-up, SRH has faced difficulties in IPL 2025 and was an early elimination from the playoffs. Their three remaining matches are all played away: against LSG in Lucknow (May 19), RCB in Bengaluru (May 23), and KKR in Delhi (May 25).
The updated schedule for the remaining IPL season was announced on May 12, including 13 league games and four playoff matches. The league phase will take place at six different venues – Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Bengaluru – while the locations for the playoffs are yet to be determined. Mark your calendars for the playoffs on May 29 (Qualifier 1), May 30 (Eliminator), June 1 (Qualifier 2), and June 3 (final).
