Former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn has raised serious concerns over Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowling unit, stating they are “desperate to get somebody like Pat Cummins back” as they prepare to face Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026.
SRH endured a disappointing start to their campaign, losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets despite posting a strong 201/9. The defeat exposed significant gaps in their bowling and overall planning.
Steyn was particularly critical of the lack of strategy during the second innings. “There were literally no plans being implemented by SRH’s bowlers,” he said, highlighting how the attack failed to respond under pressure.
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He added that defending big totals requires not just runs on the board but clarity in execution. “It is difficult to defend high targets with the kind of bowling attack they have,” Steyn noted.
The absence of regular captain and lead pacer Cummins has only compounded SRH’s struggles. Currently working his way back to full fitness, Cummins has been a key figure in both leadership and wicket-taking roles for the franchise. Steyn emphasised this void, suggesting the team lacks a calming and controlling presence in crunch situations.
He also questioned certain team decisions, particularly the underutilisation of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. “I was a bit surprised that Nitish Kumar Reddy bowled only two overs in the powerplay and didn’t get another opportunity after that,” Steyn said, pointing to possible tactical confusion.
RCB’s aggressive approach in the powerplay, where they scored heavily and seized early momentum, further underlined SRH’s inability to contain runs or take timely wickets. The bowlers struggled to build pressure, allowing the chase to slip away quickly.
Despite positives with the bat, including a well-controlled effort from the top order, Steyn stressed that SRH’s aggressive batting template cannot succeed without support from the bowling unit. He called for discussions within the team management to better utilise resources and develop clearer plans.
With a crucial clash against KKR coming up, SRH are under pressure to address these issues quickly. Steyn’s remarks underline the importance of Cummins’ return, not just for wickets, but for restoring structure and leadership to Hyderabad’s campaign.
