The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has officially kicked off, and the cricketing world is abuzz as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face off against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The start of the 2026 season, however, is marked by a slew of injuries and high-profile absences that have already begun to shape the strategies and lineups of several franchises.
Defending champions RCB entered the opening clash with plenty of momentum, but much of the pre-match chatter has revolved around the availability—or lack thereof—of key players across the league. For SRH, the situation is especially challenging. Their newly appointed captain, Pat Cummins, is sidelined for the opening matches due to a back injury, forcing the team to make a crucial leadership change just as the tournament begins. In a surprising twist, India’s T20 World Cup 2026 champion Ishan Kishan has been handed the captain’s armband in Cummins’ absence, a move that has sparked plenty of debate among pundits and fans alike.
Former Indian opener and now commentator Aakash Chopra weighed in on the SRH conundrum, revealing his strongest playing XI ahead of their big clash with RCB. Chopra’s lineup reflects the team’s need to compensate for Cummins’ absence, particularly in the bowling department. "SRH have many options to replace Cummins in the playing XI, which include all-rounder Brydon Carse, David Payne, and Eshan Malinga. I have gone with the Sri Lankan pacer as the team's bowling is weak and will need a death over specialist bowler," Chopra explained in a video posted on X. His faith in Eshan Malinga as a death-overs specialist could prove pivotal, especially with the pressure of the opening fixture looming large.
Chopra also highlighted the ongoing dilemma SRH faces regarding Nitish Kumar Reddy’s batting position. "The second big question they have is what should be done with Nitish Kumar Reddy. They haven't understood thus far at which number he should be made to bat. I feel they should make him bat at No. 5, but he is sometimes moved to No. 6 and brought in at No. 4 sometimes. They could never find a place for him," Chopra remarked. Such uncertainty about player roles is not unique to SRH this season, as several teams are being forced to rethink their strategies on the fly due to absences and injuries.
The predicted SRH batting order, according to Chopra, keeps the top four unchanged: Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head opening, with Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen following at three and four. This core offers both stability and firepower, but the lower order will be under scrutiny. Chopra’s XI has Liam Livingstone at number 6, providing a punchy finish, while Salil Arora, currently in dazzling form, is penciled in at number 7. With Harshal Patel, Shivam Mavi, and Jaydev Unadkat joining Eshan Malinga as pace options, SRH’s bowling attack is a blend of experience and youthful energy. Spinners Zeeshan Ansari and Shivang Kumar are named as impact players, ready to step in should the conditions demand it.
But SRH are far from the only franchise grappling with injury woes. The IPL 2026 season has seen an unusually high number of withdrawals and fitness concerns, with several marquee names set to miss either the entire tournament or significant portions of it. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) suffered a massive blow when pacer Harshit Rana was ruled out for the season following knee surgery. Rana’s injury, sustained during a warm-up game for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa, also kept him out of the global tournament. Mohammed Siraj has been named as his replacement, but KKR’s pace battery will undoubtedly feel Rana’s absence.
Australian stars have also been hit hard. Mitchell Starc (Delhi Capitals), Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad), and Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) are all expected to miss the initial phase of the IPL due to a combination of workload management and injury. Starc’s absence from the Delhi Capitals’ early matches is a major setback, while Hazlewood’s hamstring and Achilles issues have left RCB scrambling for alternatives. The list of absentees doesn’t end there: Nathan Ellis (Chennai Super Kings), Sam Curran (Rajasthan Royals), and Jack Edwards (Sunrisers Hyderabad) are all out for the season, with groin, hamstring, and unspecified injuries, respectively.
Other notable names on the injury list include Matheesha Pathirana (KKR, calf strain), Wanindu Hasaranga (Lucknow Super Giants, hamstring injury, doubtful for the season), Lockie Ferguson (Punjab Kings, on parental leave), Eshan Malinga (SRH, shoulder injury, doubtful for the season), and Matthew Short (Chennai Super Kings, fractured thumb). Mumbai Indians’ Atharva Ankolekar and KKR’s Akash Deep are both sidelined for the duration with knee and unspecified injuries, respectively. Meanwhile, Ben Duckett (Delhi Capitals) has opted out of the IPL to focus on his international form, and Chennai Super Kings’ iconic captain MS Dhoni will miss the first two weeks due to a calf strain—a development that has left fans both anxious and hopeful for his swift return.
With so many stars missing, IPL 2026 is shaping up to be a test of squad depth and adaptability. Teams are being forced to look beyond their first-choice XIs, giving opportunities to younger players and lesser-known talents eager to make a mark on the grand stage. The absence of seasoned campaigners like Cummins, Starc, and Dhoni opens the door for new heroes to emerge, and the unpredictable nature of this year’s tournament could lead to some surprise results in the early rounds.
For fans, the drama has already begun. The opening match between RCB and SRH is not just a battle for early points but a showcase of how teams can rally in the face of adversity. Will Ishan Kishan’s leadership steady the SRH ship, or will RCB’s home advantage prove too much? Can Eshan Malinga step up as the death-overs specialist Chopra believes he can be, or will SRH’s bowling vulnerabilities be exposed? These are the storylines that will define the opening weeks of IPL 2026.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will remain on the injury updates and team selections. Every match could see a new player step into the spotlight, and the unpredictability of the lineups only adds to the excitement for fans and analysts alike. With the action just getting underway and the stakes already sky-high, IPL 2026 promises a season full of twists, turns, and unforgettable cricketing moments.
For now, the focus is squarely on the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where RCB and SRH are set to light up the opening night. The cricketing world watches with bated breath as a new chapter in IPL history begins—one defined by resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of glory.