Pat Cummins Praises Malinga and Sakib as SRH Duo Shine in IPL 2026
A Tactical Masterclass from the SRH Pace Duo
Pat Cummins, widely regarded as one of the finest fast bowlers in contemporary cricket, has shifted the spotlight toward two of his Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) teammates. Reflecting on the 2026 IPL season, the Australian pacer admitted that he has gleaned significant insights from the bowling displays of Eshan Malinga and Sakib Hussain, whose contributions have been pivotal to the franchise’s success.
The Numbers Behind the Success
The impact of Malinga and Sakib on the SRH bowling attack is reflected in their impressive statistics. Malinga has emerged as the team’s leading wicket-taker, securing 19 strikes across 14 matches. Meanwhile, Sakib Hussain, enjoying a breakout debut season, has been equally clinical, claiming 15 wickets in just 10 appearances. Their collaborative effort was most recently on display during a comprehensive 55-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
During that high-stakes encounter, the duo combined for figures of 8-0-64-3. In a game where SRH posted a mountainous 255 for 4, maintaining an economy rate of 8.00 under pressure was a testament to their tactical maturity. Their ability to utilize slower deliveries effectively during the RCB chase proved to be the difference-maker.
Mastery in the Powerplay
Cummins specifically highlighted their proficiency during the powerplay phase. In the match against RCB, Malinga and Sakib bowled three overs between them during these early stages, securing a wicket apiece to stifle the momentum generated by Venkatesh Iyer. This controlled aggression helped SRH dictate the terms of the contest from the very beginning.
A Captain’s Dream
Speaking after the victory, Cummins did not hold back in his praise for the pair. “They’ve been fantastic,” Cummins remarked. “I’ve actually learned a lot off those guys as well, the way Eshan’s bowled all season, particularly in that powerplay, he’s been the form bowler of the comp, with his slower balls and he’s mixing up different things, and of course, Sakib there as well, so captain’s dream.”
Reflecting on the League Standings
The win against RCB was a significant milestone, leaving SRH tied on 18 points with RCB and the Gujarat Titans (GT). While the top two spots were eventually claimed by RCB and GT due to a superior net run rate (NRR), SRH made a valiant effort to bridge the gap. Cummins acknowledged that while the team was cognizant of the NRR requirement—needing to restrict RCB to below 166—the batting-friendly conditions in Hyderabad made it a monumental challenge.
“It’s a pretty good wicket. I knew a lot of things had to go our way,” Cummins noted. “Yeah, it got close. I think they were trying to make sure they got to that score [166], so we threw a few different things at them, but yeah, it’s still a big win.”
Looking Ahead to the Playoffs
With the league stage concluded, the tournament intensity is set to escalate. RCB is scheduled to face GT in Qualifier 1 on May 26. Meanwhile, SRH will prepare for the Eliminator on May 27. Their opponents in that fixture remain to be determined, with the Rajasthan Royals (RR), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all still vying for the final remaining playoff position. As SRH looks toward the knockout stages, the form of Malinga and Sakib will undoubtedly be central to their championship ambitions.
