Pat Cummins Unsure Of Virat Kohli's Absence Being A Deciding Factor In Last Three Tests

Number one Test bowler Pat Cummins began his road to reach the summit of the rankings through the India series in 2018-19. The conclusion of the Test summer did give Pat Cummins the position; however, Australia conceded their first-ever Test series to India on home soil. The 26-year old would want nothing more than to inflict a series loss on the visitors in the upcoming leg but remains unsure what would Virat Kohli’s absence mean for them.

Ever since Virat Kohli’s news of pulling out of the final three Tests came to light, it has dominated the headlines. The Indian captain, who became the first one to deliver a Test series victory in Australia, will only be part of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. In anticipation of the birth of his first child, the 32-year old will return home to be with his wife. The decision has disappointed the former Australian captain Steve Waugh while many have respected it too.

Pat Cummins understands that the tourists would miss his services; however, their camp has not spoken much about it yet. At the same time, the New South Wales speedster is wary of the upcoming talents in Indian cricket and expects them to find another competent batsman. He feels that Kohli’s absence would make a difference but remains uncertain of it being a deciding factor.

“To be honest, we haven’t spoken too much about it. I saw the announcement in the media. To be honest, as a captain, obviously he’ll be missed but the Indian cricket side always finds some incredible batsman, who outside the team, is just waiting for an opportunity, so maybe that new opportunity will be the beginning of someone else’s career. It might make a bit of a difference. I am not sure it’s gonna be a deciding factor in the series but to be honest us players haven’t spoken too much about it,” Cummins stated as quoted by The Hindu.

“Hopefully we’re better equipped than we were a couple of years ago” : Pat Cummins

The number one Test bowler underlined that Steve Smith and David Warner are undoubtedly the most significant additions from the last series. He did not fail to acknowledge that Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head are as massive a threat along with the bowlers. Cummins hopes that the side is better prepared than they were two years ago and believes it should be a nail-biting four weeks of Test matches.

“If I look back at that series, obviously Smith and Warner (are back) but obviously you’ve got Marnus (Labuschagne) who now is one of the best batters in the world. Travis Head’s had another 20 or 30 games and obviously the bowlers, two years further down the track. Hopefully we’re better equipped than we were a couple of years ago. But India are much the same. They have got the same line-up, same high-quality players, so it’s gonna be a great series,” he added.

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