SRH and RCB set to retain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood ahead of IPL 2027 Auction

SRH and RCB set to retain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood ahead of IPL 2027 Auction

Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood Set for IPL 2027 Retention as Workload Questions Loom

Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are reportedly preparing to retain Australian fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the 2027 Indian Premier League season. The expected decisions would preserve two of the competition’s most prominent overseas pace options, despite a demanding international calendar that could complicate their availability.

According to a report by CODE Sports, Cummins is expected to remain with SRH, while Hazlewood is likely to continue with defending champions RCB. The franchises must submit their final lists of retained and released players by November 17, 2026, ahead of the IPL 2027 mini-auction scheduled for December 16 in Goa.

Why the two franchises may hold on to their Australian quicks

Retaining Cummins and Hazlewood would offer their teams continuity, leadership and proven experience in high-pressure matches. Both bowlers have played important roles for their respective franchises, and their ability to deliver with the new ball, at the death and in crucial playoff moments makes them valuable assets.

Cummins is currently in SRH’s reported ₹18 crore retention slot, while Hazlewood occupies a ₹12.50 crore slot at RCB. Keeping either player would involve a significant investment, but the decision reflects the premium placed on reliable fast bowling in a tournament where conditions, match-ups and late-innings execution can often determine results.

The main uncertainty is not their quality but their schedules. Australia’s cricket calendar is expected to remain busy from December 2026, with the 2027 Ashes tour of England also on the horizon. A long run of international commitments could require careful workload management and may affect how much of the IPL either bowler can play.

For SRH and RCB, the retention decision is therefore also a prediction about availability: the teams will need to weigh the value of securing established stars against the possibility of missed matches, recovery periods or changes to their plans during the season.

Pat Cummins’ IPL record and leadership impact

Cummins made his IPL debut with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014, although opportunities were limited during his early seasons. He later joined Delhi Daredevils in 2017, taking 15 wickets in 12 matches and showing the pace and control that would make him one of the league’s most sought-after overseas players.

His return to KKR in 2020 attracted major attention. The franchise paid ₹15.50 crore for the Australian, making him the most expensive overseas player at the time. After missing the 2023 campaign to focus on international cricket, Cummins returned to the IPL in 2024 when SRH signed him for ₹20.50 crore and appointed him captain.

That season became a defining chapter in his IPL career. Cummins led SRH to the final, where they finished as runners-up, and continued as captain in 2025. He returned during the second half of the 2026 season after recovering from a back injury, adding another layer to the question of how the franchise will manage his workload in 2027.

Across 80 IPL matches, Cummins has taken 87 wickets at an average of 30.80 and an economy rate of 8.89. He has also contributed with the bat, scoring 642 runs at a strike rate of 152.49, including three half-centuries. That lower-order power gives SRH an additional reason to value him beyond his bowling figures.

Josh Hazlewood’s rise with RCB

Hazlewood began his IPL career with Chennai Super Kings in 2020. After appearing in only three matches in his first season, he became a more regular part of the side in 2021, taking 11 wickets in nine games as CSK went on to win the title.

RCB signed him for ₹7.75 crore ahead of the 2022 season, and he responded with 20 wickets in 12 matches. Injuries then interrupted his progress: an Achilles problem restricted him to three appearances in 2023, and he missed the 2024 campaign following the birth of his first child.

His return to RCB in 2025 proved highly successful. Hazlewood claimed 22 wickets in 12 matches and delivered a crucial final-over performance against Punjab Kings in the final, defending 29 runs as RCB secured their first IPL championship. Despite hamstring and Achilles concerns early in 2026, he returned to take 15 wickets in 13 matches and helped the team defend its title.

Hazlewood’s overall IPL record stands at 72 wickets from 52 matches, with an average of 23.47 and an economy rate of 8.62. He has won three IPL titles—one with CSK and two with RCB—giving him a strong record in championship-winning environments.

What the retention news could mean for IPL 2027

If the reported plans are confirmed, SRH and RCB will enter the mini-auction with two proven Australian fast bowlers already secured. That could allow both teams to focus their auction budgets on other needs, such as batting depth, spin options or backup pace resources. It would also reduce the risk of competing for elite fast bowlers in a potentially crowded auction market.

However, retaining both players does not guarantee uninterrupted availability. Franchises may need to prepare contingency plans, including additional overseas or domestic pace cover, depending on Australia’s schedule and each player’s fitness. Their management teams will also have to balance short-term IPL ambitions with the demands of international cricket.

For supporters, the retention prediction signals that both franchises remain confident in the value of experience and proven performance. Cummins offers SRH leadership and all-round impact, while Hazlewood brings RCB precision, consistency and a record of delivering in decisive moments. The official retention lists will reveal whether those qualities are enough to keep both Australians in the same team colours for IPL 2027.

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