Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has voiced his doubts regarding Pat Cummins’ suitability for T20 cricket, particularly in the Indian Premier League (IPL), as the Australian pacer gears up to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the upcoming season.
Cummins, who recently led Australia to two ICC title triumphs, has been signed by SRH for a whopping ₹20.50 crore, making him the second most expensive player in IPL history. Despite his impressive international performances, Pathan questions whether Cummins’ IPL track record justifies such a hefty price tag.
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Bold Move
SRH’s decision to invest heavily in Cummins reflects their desire to turn around their fortunes in the IPL. With their disappointing performances in recent seasons, including a bottom-place finish in IPL 2023, the franchise is banking on Cummins’ current form and leadership qualities to lead them to success. However, Pathan believes that SRH might be taking a gamble on Cummins’ momentum from his international achievements rather than his IPL track record.
IPL Numbers
While Cummins has showcased his talent on the international stage, his IPL statistics paint a different picture. With just 379 runs and 45 wickets in 42 matches at an average of 18.95 and an economy rate of 8.54, Cummins’ performance in the IPL has been underwhelming compared to his stellar international performances.
In his analysis, Pathan underscores the substantial variance between the formats of T20 cricket and ODIs or Test matches. He posits that this dissimilarity could pose challenges for Cummins in replicating his accomplishments in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Pathan Doubt
Pathan likely delves into the nuanced differences in the demands and dynamics of each format. T20 cricket, characterized by its fast-paced nature and emphasis on aggressive batting, often requires a different skill set compared to the more strategic and endurance-based nature of ODIs and Test cricket.
For Cummins, who has excelled in longer formats of the game, adapting to the frenetic pace and pressure-cooker situations of T20 cricket may present hurdles. While his proficiency in Tests and ODIs is unquestionable.
Expressing his reservations, former cricketer Irfan Pathan highlights the high economy rate of Pat Cummins in the IPL, which he believes is a concern for a premier fast bowler. Despite Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) hopes for Cummins to improve his IPL numbers in one season, Pathan remains skeptical about whether T20 cricket is Cummins’ forte.
Nevertheless, SRH will be counting on Cummins to lead them to victory as they kick off their IPL 2024 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders on March 23 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
