IPL 2025: Pat Cummins and Travis Head Set to Rejoin SRH Despite Playoff Elimination

Australian stars Pat Cummins and Travis Head are expected to rejoin the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) squad ahead of IPL 2025's resumption on May 17, following the one-week suspension of the tournament due to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. Both players had left India during the break and were later named in Australia's Test squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa, scheduled for June 11 at Lord’s. Despite SRH being mathematically eliminated from the playoff race after a poor campaign—following their runners-up finish in IPL 2024—Cummins, who captains the side, and Head have reportedly communicated their intention to return. Cummins’ manager confirmed the captain is planning to rejoin out of a sense of responsibility to the franchise. Cricket Australia’s head of national teams, Ben Oliver, acknowledged the situation’s uniqueness and said the board would support individual player decisions over the next few days. Meanwhile, there is no confirmation yet on the return of SRH’s other overseas players—Heinrich Klaasen, Eshan Malinga, Kamindu Mendis, and Wiaan Mulder—with Mulder also named in South Africa’s WTC squad. SRH’s remaining three matches are all away games: against Lucknow Super Giants on May 19, Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 23, and Kolkata Knight Riders on May 25 in Delhi. The IPL’s revised schedule includes 13 league matches and four playoff fixtures, with the playoff venues yet to be announced. The playoff dates are set for May 29 (Qualifier 1), May 30 (Eliminator), June 1 (Qualifier 2), and June 3 (Final).

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