"Pat Cummins isn't a carrot and stick approach captain"- Australian legend's warning to Rohit Sharma

Matthew Hayden has big words of praise for Pat Cummins, the Australian skipper ahead of their big series against India. Cummin has been a successful captain for Australia winning the WTC and the ODI World Cup in 2023.

He defeated India on both occasions and once again he will be up against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home. Australia have unfinished business against India at home as they have not won a Test series at home in over 10 years.

The Men in Blue have won the last two Test series played against Australia in Australia in 2019-2020 and 2020-21. Meanwhile, Hayden has praised Pat Cummins' captaincy for Australia hailing him as one of the greats of the game.

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Pat Cummins Has A Special Leadership Style And Ability: Matthew Hayden

"He's a great of our game," Hayden said of Cummins, who has won the World Cup and World Test Championship (WTC) as captain. "He has a very special leadership style and ability. It's very different from the former kind of captains of the Australian team that were very much a carrot and stick type approach" said Hayden on Cummins.

Hayden further said that as a captain Cummins focuses on bringing the best out of the individuals and also concentrates a lot on preparation.

"He's operating on a model that's bringing out the individuals' preparation in particular, something in which I think our game struggles, being a team sport. Ultimately, [it's] how you get the best out of an individual. He has a slightly off-center approach. I followed this team now very closely over the last two years, and they're an extremely close team. Pat is a great leader, and he will go down as one of our greats" said Hayden as he almost reaffirmed his point.

After playing against India, he will lead Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy followed by the Ashes against England. This is a period where his captaincy skills will be tested and if he surpasses this test, he will all the more certify his legacy as one of the greatest Australian captains.

Cummins as captain lost to India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, to bow out of the tournament. He sounded a bit overconfident when he was asked about the top four teams in the tournament. "Definitely Australia," he said in his response.

Australia last won a Test series against New Zealand 2-0 back in March this year. They are coming back to play Test cricket after a gap of almost six months and taking on a tough team like India. The Men in Blue have won the last two Test series in Australia and also won the Test series played in the 2023-24 Australia tour in India under Pat Cummins.

Pat Cummins is Currently On an 8-Week Break

Australia is known for its ability to bounce back and Cummins has so far walked the talk regarding his team. He should be prepared as captain for the upcoming Test series against India. He is currently on an eight-week break before returning for the Test series against India.

“Everyone that comes back after a break is a little bit fresher, you never regret it. “I’ve basically been bowling non-stop since the World Test Championship final, nearly 18 months ago. This gives me a good seven or eight weeks completely off bowling so the body can recover, then you start building up again for the summer."

"It means you can hopefully bowl for a little bit longer, maintaining pace is a bit easier, makes you less susceptible to injuries,” Cummins was quoted as saying by Fox Sports.

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