Pat Cummins eyes Sheffield Shield comeback as he aims to conquer Rohit Sharma's India in BGT 2024-25

Australia National Cricket Team skipper Pat Cummins is making sure that he enters the five-match Test series against India fully prepared. The fast bowler will be playing Sheffield Shield to tune up for the series against Rohit Sharma-led side.

Australian captain Pat Cummins will not be part of the team's white-ball tour to Scotland and England. The fast bowler has opted for rest and will be making a comeback directly in the India series. He recently was seen in action during the Major League Cricket.

During his rest, Pat Cummins will be focusing on strength and conditioning ahead of the home summer. Australian National Cricket Team will be hosting India for the five-match Tests, starting in November. After that, they will be playing Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series.

Australia's performance in the 7 Tests will depict if they will be playing the final of the ICC World Test Championship or not. They are currently the defending champions and are behind India National Cricket Team in the points table of the World Test Championship.

I imagine kind of late October/early November will be when I start playing and building up for the Tests - Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins while talking about his decision to play Sheffield Shield said that he had a chat with coach Andrew McDonald and he will be playing a couple of games before making a return for the Tests against India. Speaking to News Crop, he explained:

"Ronnie [coach Andrew McDonald] called me the other day and said we need to talk about this. I prefer to go a little bit fresher but play some cricket going in.

"So I'd say it's either two or three ODIs, plus a Shield [game] or maybe just some Shield, maybe some NSW one-day stuff. I imagine kind of late October/early November will be when I start playing building up for the Tests."

This will be the first time that Pat Cummins will be playing in the Sheffield Shield tournament since February 2021. The Australia Test skipper last featured in the tournament for New South Wales in February 2021 and has only made nine appearances in his career.

Cummins could also build up through the Pakistan series. Australia will also be locking horns with Babar Azam-led side to prepare themselves for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to be played in February-March next year.

New South Wales have a Shield game against Victoria from October 20 then face Queensland from November 1, although the latter overlaps with the start of the ODI series against Pakistan. Therefore Cummins will have ample opportunities to get in the groove for the India series.

Mitchell Starc, who will play the ODI series against England, and Josh Hazlewood, who will feature in the whole tour, could also be available for New South Wales ahead of the international season. Nathan Lyon is expected to play at least two matches before the India series.