We are only a couple of days away from the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) and the banter between India and Australia have already started. We always get some spicy news ahead of this high-octane series. We already had some ‘prickly‘ banter between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and Ricky Ponting. But now, Australian skipper Pat Cummins has offered his suggestion that Australia are strong enough and don’t need any Indian player in their team! Yes, not even Virat Kohli or Jasprit Bumrah.
‘Cheeky’ Pat Cummins before BGT
In the lead-up to BGT, Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins made a provocative statement that quickly caught the attention. When journalists asked which Indian player he would choose for the Australian team, Cummins responded with a definitive and surprising answer: “No one.” He said this on Fox Cricket.
This bold declaration came during a pre-series press conference where other Australian players had been more generous in their assessment of Indian talent. Players like Nathan Lyon suggested a hypothetical lineup that would include Virat Kohli, while Mitchell Marsh selected Rishabh Pant. Travis Head picked Rohit Sharma, and Scott Boland chose Jasprit Bumrah. In stark contrast, Cummins stood firm in his belief that no Indian player would improve the current Australian cricket team.
Cummins’ statement reflects more than just confidence; it’s a powerful psychological message sent ahead of a crucial Test series. By claiming that no Indian player would enhance the Australian lineup, he shows his massive belief in his Australia’s capabilities and sets a challenging tone for the upcoming matches.
