IPL 2020: Pat Cummins Relieved At Not To Have To Bowl To Brendon McCullum

Australia and Kolkata Knight Riders’ paceman Pat Cummins arrived in the UAE to join the franchise ahead of the 2020 IPL edition. Pat Cummins set the auction on fire that held in December 2019 by fetching a jaw-dropping amount of INR 15.5 crores, becoming the highest-earning overseas player. Firstly, Cummins expressed his excitement at not having to bowl to Brendon McCullum.

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Pat Cummins arrived at the UAE following the limited-overs leg in England. Australia ended their campaign on a high by winning the three-match ODI series but lost the three-game T20 rubber. Cummins’ form was slightly inconsistent in both the formats; however, made crucial strikes to assist his colleagues. As the most expensive player this season, KKR will indeed require him to work his magic.

According to Pat Cummins, Brendon McCullum, the coach of KKR, is amongst the most-feared hitters to bowl to. The 26-year old mentioned that McCullum starts going after the bowler from the get-go and is relieved to have him as his coach. Cummins will play in IPL for the first time since 2017.

“First thing is, I am very excited that I don’t have to bowl to him anymore because he was one of the most-feared hitters to bowl to. It might be the first ball of the match but he might be running at you and hitting you back over your head for a six. I am happy that he is on my team as a coach,” Cummins said as quoted by India Today.

Cummins further said that he entirely admired McCullum when he was the captain of New Zealand and facing him in IPL. The speedster admires the keeper-batsman’s fearless approach and taking on the positive option. He loves the way Brendon McCullum forces the opposition to make mistakes and is looking forward to work under him.

“He is someone whom I really admired from afar when he was captain of New Zealand and when I came up against him quite a few times in IPL. I love the way he goes about his business, really fearless, wants to put on a show, wants to take the game on, always wants to take the more positive option.

When you play against 100 thousand people in India, and at times, you tend to take the option which is more safe, I love the way he just forces you to take risks and not worry too much if it doesn’t come off. I am looking forward to working under him,” the Australian paceman mentioned.

“90 percent of the reason why I love cricket is hanging out with my mates” : Pat Cummins

The number one Test bowler, whose career was ruled by injuries before reaching the top, advised his teammate young speedster Kamlesh Nagarkoti. Cummins highlighted that one needs to have patience, but understood that missing games as an 18-year old could be highly frustrating. In his case, the 26-year old stated that he placed trust in everything he did to build a foundation and healthy career. He also advised Nagarkoti to enjoy your cricket, which is equally essential.

“The big one that all the coaches and ex-players who have gone through similar things, is just to be patient. It’s very easy to say, but as an 18-year-old, missing games is a hard thing to believe. No doubt, that was the biggest thing… I had to trust that I might have a season or 2 at the start of my career, but that might mean I can play when 36 or 37 as opposed to when I am 31 or 32, I am injured and broken and bowled all the balls I have,

Just having trust that everything I was doing was going to set a foundation for a long and healthy career. Still, try and make sure you love your cricket, I love going to training and hanging out with my teammates. 90 percent of the reason why I love cricket is hanging out with my mates,” the New South Wales-born added.

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