Former Kolkata Knight Riders captain Dinesh Karthik has confirmed the star pacer Pat Cummins will travel to the UAE for the second half of IPL 2021. The news comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that they will host the remaining matches in the UAE.

While the fans welcomed the decision with both hands, the Knight Riders were dealt with a massive blow. Cummins, who was one of the star performers for Kolkata in the first half of the tournament before the organisers halted IPL 2021, has decided to skip the second half.

Pat Cummins has said he will not join – Dinesh Karthik

Earlier a report in Sydney Morning Herald claimed that Pat Cummins has informed the stakeholders about his unavailability. And now, Dinesh Karthik has confirmed the reports during a chat with Times Of India. The veteran wicket-keeper batter has also clarified that he is ready to lead the side again if Eoin Morgan fails to make it to the UAE.

“Pat Cummins has himself said that he will not come. But when it comes to Eoin Morgan, there are still three months to go. A lot can change from now till September. But if I am asked to lead, I will be ready for it,” said Dinesh Karthik.

Pat Cummins’ absence will hurt the Kolkata Knight Riders a lot in the second phase of IPL 2021. In the seven games, the Aussie quick picked nine wickets and scored 93 runs including a half-century. But he couldn’t steer his side’s performance as they toil in the second-last position of the points table with only two wins from seven outings.

Although they have the likes of Lockie Ferguson to replace Pat Cummins, the Kolkata Knight Riders management might sign in a replacement ahead of the start of the second phase of IPL 2021.