Pat Cummins will get his first taste of leading Australia against India at home in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The skipper of Australia, Pat Cummins, talked candidly about his previous conflicts with Indian batters Ajinky Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, particularly the latter. India won back-to-back Test series in Australia in 2018–19 and 2020–21, respectively, thanks in large part to Rahane and Pujara. But for the forthcoming five-match series, which begins with the opening Test in Perth on Friday, the pair has been passed over by the selectors. Stars from the current crop have taken the place of both veterans for the next tour in Australia.
Cummins talked about his previous conflicts with Pujara, who he said was capable of batting through a storm.
“Pujara and Rahane both scored some quite significant innings. Playing against Pujara was always a lot of fun. He was one of those men who never seemed to be trying to leave you. Cummins informed the reporters, “But then he would bat, and bat, and bat, and bat.”
Cummins also expressed his opinion over the Indian management’s failure to consider Pujara for the series, stating that it would be strange if the latter did not play.
“I always had a great time competing against him. I won some days and he won others. Therefore, it will seem a little different without him,” he continued.
Cummins praised India’s deputy captain, Jasprit Bumrah, saying he was a huge admirer of the pacer.
“I really like Bumrah. He can contribute significantly to India’s series since he is an excellent bowler. Cummins remarked, “He’s one of the guys who has played a lot of cricket in Australia.”
India and Australia will play the final four Test matches at Adelaide (pink-ball match), Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney after the series opener in Perth. Additionally, it will be India and Australia’s first five-match Test series since the 1991–92 campaign.
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