Australia’s skipper Pat Cummins has described the upcoming ODI series against India, starting October 19 in Perth, as a special occasion for cricket fans. Unable to play due to a back injury, Cummins expressed that this might be the “last chance” for the Australian public to witness Indian legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in action on Australian soil.
Cummins said :
“Virat and Rohit have been part of almost every Indian side for the last 15 years, so this might be the last chance for them. They’ve obviously been champions of the game for India and are always very well supported. Whenever we play them, the crowd gets loud.” Cummins highlighted how the two Indian icons have not only shaped India’s cricketing journey but also contributed to the strong sporting rivalry and mutual respect between the two nations.
Injury Disappointment And Team Outlook
The 32-year-old pacer expressed his disappointment at missing the high-profile series, which also includes games in Adelaide and Sydney. He said, “It’s a shame to miss the white-ball series against India. I think the crowds are going to be huge. There’s already a lot of excitement built up here in Australia.”
“So, whenever you miss a game, it’s disappointing. But missing a big series like this is always a bit harder to take,” he added. With stand-in skipper Mitchell Marsh leading the team, Cummins believes this series is not only about winning but also about preparing for the future. “It’s three matches you want to win, but it’s also about giving exposure to the younger guys coming through, particularly those who weren’t part of the last World Cup,” he explained.
Building For The Future And Starc’s Decision
Pat Cummins elaborated that the series offers a chance to test the bench strength ahead of major tournaments. “The goal is to try and play them, see what they can do, and make sure that once we get close to the World Cup, we know what our 15-man squad is going to be and that we’re well placed,” he said.
Reflecting on teammate Mitchell Starc’s retirement from T20 internationals, Cummins showed understanding of his decision. “I knew it was on Starkey’s mind for a little while, retiring from T20Is. Playing all three formats is tough. He’s a couple of years older than me and has played 100 Test matches as well, quite a few more than I have,” he said. Cummins added, “He wants to prioritise Test cricket. He’s had a fantastic T20I career, and there are plenty of other guys who, while they may not do exactly what Starkey did, can step in and fill his shoes.”
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