"Mind Switches to Red Ball": Pat Cummins Sets Sights on Border-Gavaskar Trophy vs India
Cummins, who went wicketless in his seven overs, admitted that the team underperformed, particularly in their batting. Reflecting on the loss, he said, "Wasn't one of our best days. They bowled well, but we should have done better and scored more than 160."
Australian captain Pat Cummins is now focused on the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test series against India, set to begin on November 22 in Perth. Cummins expressed this shift in focus following Australia's recent defeat to Pakistan by nine wickets in the second ODI at Adelaide Oval. Despite a fiery five-wicket haul from Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and three wickets from Shaheen Shah Afridi, the Australian batting lineup fell short, collapsing to 163 all out in 35 overs. Pakistan's openers, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, provided a strong response, setting a 137-run opening partnership that helped secure an easy win in just 21 overs.
Cummins, who went wicketless in his seven overs, admitted that the team underperformed, particularly in their batting. Reflecting on the loss, he said, "Wasn't one of our best days. They bowled well, but we should have done better and scored more than 160." This outcome has left the three-match series tied at 1-1, with a decider in Perth on Sunday. However, Cummins, along with senior players like Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith, will miss the final ODI as they begin preparation for the red-ball series against India.
In Cummins’ absence, wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis will captain Australia for the third ODI. Commenting on this leadership shift, Cummins expressed confidence in Inglis, saying, "I will leave it to him (Inglis), he has some experience. So let him be him." With just over a week remaining until the BGT series, Cummins and the red-ball squad plan to regroup and train intensively to adapt to the red-ball format. "Good training sessions needed, mind now switches to the red ball," he said, emphasizing the need for mental and physical preparation for the demanding Test series against India.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be a critical challenge for both teams, with Australia keen to avenge their recent home losses and India eager to defend the prestigious trophy.
