Sunrisers Hyderabad’s leadership plans something big ahead of the IPL 2026 season. As the trade window draws near, whispers inside the circuit stir curiosity about a conversation between Pat Cummins and Kuldeep Yadav.
According to a report from News24, the Australian all-rounder and SRH captain personally reached out to the Delhi Capitals spinner and urged him to consider a move to Hyderabad. The discussion reportedly focused on strengthening SRH’s spin options, which look thin despite the presence of Rahul Chahar and Zeeshan Ansari.
The timing of this news matters. Teams have started shaping their strategies for the upcoming trade window, and SRH’s interest in Kuldeep shows they want to reshape their bowling core. The left-arm wrist spinner, one of India’s finest in limited-overs cricket, enjoyed another strong season for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025.
He took 15 wickets in 14 matches and maintained a steady economy rate while crossing the 100-wicket mark in the league. Since his debut in 2016, Kuldeep has played for the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Delhi Capitals. The chinaman owns 102 wickets from 98 matches at an average of 26.95, and those numbers highlight his quality. But Delhi will likely hold on to him, knowing his value as a match-winner.
Would SRH Truly Benefit From Kuldeep’s Arrival?
SRH’s move does make sense. The franchise lacks a proven Indian wrist spinner who can change games on his own. Rahul Chahar has shown promise, but hasn’t displayed the same control and variation that Kuldeep offers. In turning conditions, a bowler who breaks partnerships with flight and drift often turns matches around. Cummins, known for building balanced bowling attacks, likely views Kuldeep as the missing link in SRH’s plans for 2026.
However, another side exists. Kuldeep has found stability with Delhi Capitals, where Rishabh Pant’s leadership has helped him regain rhythm and confidence. Leaving that setup might disrupt his current form, especially after two strong seasons.
SRH’s bowling unit already features Harshal Patel, Mohammed Shami, and Adam Zampa, and their bigger issue lies in batting consistency rather than spin. If SRH truly want to challenge for the title, they should sign a proven middle-order hitter to create better balance instead of adding another spinner.
