IND vs AUS: 'Don't Take Us Lightly, We're Here To Win': Pat Cummins Warns India Ahead Of The Start Of 3-match T20I Series

The three-match T20I series will begin with a warning from renowned Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins to Team India. A month before the T20 World Cup kicks off, the Australian Test captain, who is a member of the travelling squad for the three-match series, remarked that the visitors, despite being without a few first-team players, are still a formidable unit and are anticipating success.

Ahead of the first T20I encounter beginning on Tuesday (September 20) in Mohali, Cummins has warned Men in Blue batsmen that he is in top form and prepared to go all out against Rohit Sharma and company.

Star opening batter David Warner, who has been rested, and the trio of injured all-rounders Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, and elite bowler Mitchell Starc won’t be available for Australia in the series against India.

No One Can Afford To Take Us Lightly: Pat Cummins

Cummins feels that no side can afford to undervalue the defending T20 World Cup champions despite the absence of four first-team players.

‘Don’t take us lightly; we are here to win. We understand some of the players are missing, but no one can still afford us to take lightly’, Cummins said.

Cummins is making a comeback after being out for more than two months. He last played for Australia against Sri Lanka in July. He didn’t play in Australia’s most recent home series against New Zealand and Zimbabwe.

World Cup Is The Time We Want To Be Peaking: Pat Cummins

Cummins claims that after taking a necessary vacation over the past several months, he is now prepared for the busy schedule that lies ahead and is certain that he can contribute in any setting.

“I’m pretty keen to play quite a lot so that come the World Cup I feel like my game is in really good order,” Cummins said.

“That World Cup is the time we want to be peaking, so I think we’ll find that balance between making sure we’re ready but not overcooked going to the start of the World Cup.”

“I feel probably the best I’ve felt for a year or two. My body feels fresh, it feels like I’ve been able to have a mini pre-season. In terms of mindset, I feel really fresh and ready to get stuck in, so it was a great break. A couple of the niggles are fine,” he added.

In contrast to India, who have long held the top spot in the game’s shortest version, the Australians are the reigning T20 World Cup champions.

Since the conclusion of the T20 World Cup last year, India has played exceptionally well, making the forthcoming series fascinating. Additionally, they haven’t dropped a series in the shortest format, regardless of the location, save for the forgettable performance in the just-finished Asia Cup.

Also Read: BCCI Set To Introduce Substitute ‘Impact Player’ In Its T20 Tournaments, Including IPL