Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins is eager to exact revenge on the Indian cricket team. Having lost two back-to-back Border-Gavaskar Trophies at home (2018-19 and 2020-21), the fast bowler wants to make amends. While the first series defeat came when David Warner and Steve Smith were unavailable, the second came against a depleted Indian side with several debutants.
Pat Cummins, coming for India
The last series had gone down to the wire with Rishabh Pant helping Team India pull off a miracle at the Gabba. Exactly a month from now, Cummins and Co. would look to stop India from completing a hat-trick of wins Down Under. Before the BGT 2024-25, he talked with Star Sports about the upcoming challenge. With 2-1 on his mind, Cummins said:
“We’ve had a bit of a break, so I’m excited for the five match Test series. Excited to get into it. We haven’t had a lot of luck against India over the last few Test series, but we always pride ourselves on playing well here in Australia. The last two series were a long time ago, so I think we’ve gotten over it. But we have really high expectations when we play Test cricket in Australia. I think that’s from the fans and the media as well. So anytime we don’t win down here, of course, you look at those series a bit more closely. The last series, in particular, was a really tough one. It went right down to that last session at the Gabba, and unfortunately, we couldn’t pull it off. A lot of the guys in the team are the same as those who played in that series, and we’re here to make amends.”
Pant challenge and missing Cameron Green
The right-arm quick also opened up about facing the dangerous Rishabh Pant. The swashbuckling southpaw has played 7 Tests in Australia and averages a whopping 62.4 with three fifty-plus scores in 12 innings. As for Cameron Green, Cummins said the team will miss the three-dimensional player who was the highest scorer in the last Test series Australia played.
“Rishabh had a great series here in Australia last time. He’s always a bit of that X-factor in the middle order. You never quite know what you’re going to get, which is exciting, even as the opposition. And he’s always got something to say behind the stumps—he’s very funny, makes me laugh. As for Cam Green, he’s a big loss for us. Not only for his batting, but he’s probably the best gully fielder I’ve ever seen, and a great bowler we need as well, so we’re really going to miss him,” Cummins added.
