Sunrisers Hyderabad suffered another major setback to their already depleted bowling attack during the IPL 2026. Head coach Daniel Vettori confirmed that English fast bowler Brydon Carse sustained a hand injury during a net session and was unavailable for the opening match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Without Carse and regular captain Pat Cummins, the Sunrisers’ bowling unit struggled at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, March 28. Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down the 202-run target in just 15.4 overs, exposing the serious weaknesses in Sunrisers’ pace attack early in the tournament opener.
It Was Difficult for Him – Daniel Vettori Provides Brydon Carse Injury Update
During the post-match press conference, Daniel Vettori revealed that Brydon Carse suffered an injury while batting in the nets. The head coach said that while X-rays showed no fractures, severe swelling prevented the English all-rounder from playing against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
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“He (Carse) got hit on the hand in the nets when he was batting, on his bowling hand, cleared of any break, but quite a lot of swelling and he tried to push for the game, but it was difficult for him to hold the ball,” Daniel Vettori said at the post-match press conference.
“He (Carse) has been improving, so we are hoping he is available for selection for Kolkata,” he added.
If Carse recovers before the match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the Sunrisers Hyderabad management will have to drop an overseas pacer. Either David Payne or Eshan Malinga will be benched for the encounter on April 2.
Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal Dismantle Sunrisers Hyderabad
Royal Challengers Bengaluru capitalized on Sunrisers Hyderabad’s weakened bowling attack. After Phil Salt departed early, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal added a 101-run partnership off just 45 deliveries, treating the Bengaluru crowd to an aggressive batting display.
Devdutt Padikkal scored 61 runs off 26 deliveries, including seven boundaries and four sixes. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli anchored the chase with an unbeaten 69 runs off 38 balls, guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to 203 for 4 and sealing a six-wicket victory.
David Payne, Harsh Dubey, Eshan Malinga, and Harshal Patel collectively conceded 144 runs in just 11 overs. This poor bowling performance wasted the earlier batting efforts of Ishan Kishan and Aniket Verma, who helped Sunrisers Hyderabad post 201 for 9.
Pat Cummins Remains Crucial for Sunrisers Hyderabad
The heavy defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru showed why Sunrisers Hyderabad need regular captain Pat Cummins back as soon as possible. He adds experience to a pace attack that currently depends on domestic options like Jaydev Unadkat, Shivam Mavi, and an out-of-form Harshal Patel.
Cummins has a strong Indian Premier League record for Sunrisers Hyderabad, taking 34 wickets in 30 matches. He is especially useful in the death overs. He has an economy rate of 10.94 in that phase and has taken 21 wickets in 51 matches.
This is better than the current Sunrisers Hyderabad options. Jaydev Unadkat has an economy rate of 11.47 in the final overs. Sunrisers Hyderabad need Cummins to return soon to strengthen their bowling unit.
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