Synopsis
Australia's Test captain Pat Cummins is gearing up for a return to the IPL in 2025 after recovering from an ankle injury. He aims to lead his team in the WTC final against South Africa and the following West Indies tour.Key Takeaways
- Pat Cummins is set to return in IPL 2025.
- He aims to lead Australia in the WTC final.
- He has welcomed a new daughter, Edi, during recovery.
- His ankle injury has kept him out of competitive play.
- He emphasizes the importance of gradual buildup for bowlers.
New Delhi, Feb 21 (NationPress) Australia Test captain Pat Cummins has set his sights on returning to competitive play in the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after recovering from an ankle injury. He is optimistic about leading Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa and the following tour of the West Indies.
Cummins has been sidelined due to a left ankle issue that arose after Australia secured a 3-1 victory over India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy held in Sydney. The fast bowler had previously guided Sunrisers Hyderabad to a second-place finish in IPL 2024 and has been retained by the franchise ahead of the mega auctions for 2025.
"That’s the goal. T20 requires four overs, which provides a solid preparation phase for the WTC final and the subsequent Test matches. I plan to begin bowling again in the next week or so, building my fitness for IPL. It’s crucial to ensure that I am bowling consistently throughout the tournament," Cummins stated.
"The intensity of a T20 tournament is incredibly high, which is beneficial. During the latter stages of the tournament, I may need to bowl extra in warm-ups and nets to acclimate my body to the demands of bowling frequently."
"Now that I’m 30, I feel different compared to my early 20s. My body has endured a lot over the years and has become quite resilient," Cummins remarked, as reported by cricket.com.au.
The ankle issue has led to Cummins missing Australia's tour of Sri Lanka and their Champions Trophy campaign. In the meantime, he and his wife Becky welcomed their second child, a daughter named Edi. "This past month has been incredible, allowing me to focus solely on family time without the pressures of training or tours. Being fully present has been a wonderful experience," he shared.
"Watching the Sri Lanka Test series was unusual for me. I haven’t had the chance to see the boys play on TV for years. They performed exceptionally well, showcasing near-perfect play. I was able to enjoy the matches from a distance. Thankfully, my ankle is improving," he added.
"It’s a peculiar injury—not like a hamstring strain that requires a six-week recovery. It simply needs some rest to heal. I have been diligently doing rehab at the gym and cautiously building my strength back up. As a fast bowler, it’s vital to gradually return to full fitness."
"After a break, it’s important to start running, then bowling, and gradually ramp up the intensity. Unfortunately, we ran out of time for the Pakistan series. This isn’t a new or long-term injury, but it’s something that requires careful management. A break now should prepare me well for the upcoming year," he concluded.
