Australian captain Pat Cummins has stated that securing a Test series win in India is one of the few milestones remaining on his agenda. The 31-year-old is preparing to lead Australia in the upcoming five-match Test series against India at home, aiming to achieve a victory that has eluded him so far.
Australia faces a significant challenge, having suffered defeats in the last four Test series against India, including two losses on home soil. Cummins is keenly aware of the pressure, especially as India aims for a third consecutive victory in Australia.
A Personal Goal
During an event, Cummins expressed his thoughts on the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, noting, “I was thinking about it the other day. It’s close to the only thing I haven’t really ticked off. I’ve not beaten India in a Test series yet. A few of the guys have, but I haven’t.”
His personal experiences against India date back to his first Test series in 2017, where Australia faced a tough battle and lost. However, Cummins has been a standout performer in recent series, especially in the 2020-21 series at home, where he emerged as the leading wicket-taker with 21 wickets in four Tests.
Embracing Authenticity
Reflecting on his role as captain, Cummins shared his long-standing admiration for previous Australian captains, which has influenced his approach to leadership.
He explained, “My whole life, you look up to the Australian captain and you know who it is, and you’re like ‘oh wow, they’re so accomplished, and they must have all their shit together.’ And then suddenly when you are captain you’re like ‘oh, I’m going to be that type of person.’”
He acknowledged the overwhelming support he received when appointed captain, stating that he was chosen by decision-makers before fully realizing his capabilities.
This led him to consider whether to emulate others or embrace his own identity: “So it was like ‘OK, do I want to try and replicate other people, or do I just want to be myself?’ And I always thought I should be myself because it’s all I really know.”
Cummins is set to return to action for Australia in the ODI series against Pakistan, beginning on November 4, as he prepares for the crucial Test series against India that could define his captaincy.
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