IPL 2026: Why is Harshal Patel not playing SRH vs RR Eliminator?

In a make-or-break Eliminator encounter of the Indian Premier League 2026, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are facing the might of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium, New Chandigarh. Ahead of this crucial fixture, the Pat Cummins-led side made a solitary change to their line-up, with pace bowler Harshal Patel not being a part of the line-up announced at the toss.

SRH vs RR: Toss Update

RR skipper Riyan Parag, who himself returned to full fitness ahead of the match, could not call it correctly at the toss, as SRH opted to field first in the do-or-die game. Cummins explained that the ground has been helpful for the chasing teams, making it a no-brainer choice for them to be going ahead with preferring to bat second in the innings. Parag was disappointed to have lost the toss but is confident of RR's record here.

SRH vs RR: Patel misses out as Hyderabad call Hinge back

In the only change across both sides for this match, Cummins confirmed that Harshal Patel sitting out is the only change, while young Vidarbha pacer Praful Hinge made a comeback to the XI. RR did not make any changes to their proposed line-up but brought Ravindra Jadeja into the starting combination while Shubham Dubey was named the impact substitute option.

SRH vs RR: What did the captains say?

Pat Cummins, SRH captain,

"We are going to have a bowl first. (Does having played finals before help?) I'm not sure really. I think maybe if you've played a few, you feel a bit more relaxed about it. But yeah, I think the most important thing is you are coming off having played really good cricket, which our guys are doing. (Your message to the bowlers?) We like to keep it pretty simple. There might be one or two guys or moments where we feel like we need to have a good plan for, but outside of that, we just want to lean into guys' strengths.

(Any changes?) Hinge comes back in. (Have you thought about batting first?) Yes, I don't think we're that bothered, to be honest. We've won plenty of games batting first. Here seems to be a good chasing venue. Honestly, we had lost the toss it wouldn't have mattered too much. But yeah, we'll have a crack first with the ball"

Riyan Parag, RR captain,

"Yeah, again, a little undecided, but we would have liked to bowl first as well. Having looked at the history here, I think two games this season, two games both chased, but good time to change that. (Three out of three wins so far at this venue) Yeah, happy memories. I think we've chased and defended as well. So I feel good memories, hopefully that continues. (How are you doing?) I'm fit to play. 

"(Does having must-win situation help?) Maybe a mindset shift, yes. Just adds a little bit more to the table, a little bit more to the game. And even now, I think we've got no other options other than to win. But I think the chats have been that we keep doing the same thing. We leave it all once we step onto the ground, once we cross the boundary ropes. And if we can go back after 40 overs, look at the mirror and say we gave it our all, I'm happy whether we win or lose. (Any changes?) Pretty much the same team, just Jaddu comes into the XI and Dubey is impact."

SRH vs RR: Playing XIs

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (WK), Heinrich Klaasen, Smaran Ravichandran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pat Cummins (captain), Shivang Kumar, Eshan Malinga, Sakib Hussain, Praful Hinge

Impact: Aniket Verma, Salil Arora, Liam Livingstone, Harsh Dubey, Harshal Patel

Rajasthan Royals

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag (captain), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Nandre Burger, Jofra Archer, Brijesh Sharma and Yash Raj Punja

Impact: Shubham Dubey, Sushant Mishra, Amanal Perala, Ravi Bishnoi, Tushar Deshpande