KKR vs SRH: Shreyas Iyer kicked aside as Irfan Pathan picks Pat Cummins as best captain of IPL 2024

Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan lavished rich praise on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) skipper Pat Cummins for leading the team into the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. He stated that the fast bowler is the captain of the season as he has played with a big heart throughout the tournament. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) skipper Pat Cummins has justified his price tag of INR 20.5 crore as he has been sensational in the league. The Australian skipper has been magnificent both as a captain as well as the bowler of the team in the tournament. 

Pat Cummins has changed the fortunes of the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the ongoing tournament. The team who was struggling to get going in the league the last few years has made it into the finals of the tournament, which depicts their performance. 

Skipper Pat Cummins along with head coach Daniel Vettori has instilled a fearless attitude in the team. The backing by the captain has resulted in Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma playing as expressive as possible at the top, destroying the bowling lineups of the teams. 

On the bowling front, Pat Cummins has been brilliant. He has taken 17 wickets and what has been even more impressive is the way he has used himself. Apart from him, he also has rotated other bowlers around him brilliantly. 

Irfan Pathan highlighted how Pat Cummins has been using himself in the different phases of the game and has taken the responsibility all to himself. Speaking to Star Sports ahead of the IPL 2024 final, he explained: 

“If you look at Pat Cummins' captaincy, he bowled with the new ball. He actually sometimes come into the game where he hasn't bowled in the first half of the game. He's actually bowling in the second half of half of the game.

"He has sometimes bowled the penultimate over. He has bowled last over as well. So when it comes to playing a different role as a leader and telling the team 'Ok, without telling him the words he said, I'm gonna take the responsibility. I'm gonna do the tough job. I'm not gonna run away from all the responsibilities. You guys should do as well.”

I really think he's the captain of the season so far for me - Irfan Pathan on Pat Cummins 

Irfan Pathan further added that ahead of the action he questioned the price tag of Pat Cummins but the fast bowler proved him wrong as he brought all the experience with him and got a big heart. He added: 

"And this is the best thing about Pat Cummins. And this is why I have a question before the auction that how can he come here in this IPL where he has not done well, what can he do? 

“He has actually brought all the experience and he's got a big heart. When you have a big heart as a leader, all the youngsters come around as well. I really think he's the captain of the season so far for me.” 

Pat Cummins, who has been extremely successful as the captain of Australia, would be hoping to add another feather to his cap by winning the IPL trophy.