Australian Cricket Captain Pat Cummins Targets IPL as Comeback Platform from Ankle Injury
Australian Test captain Pat Cummins, who has been ruled out of the current Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the ongoing two-Test series in Sri Lanka, is looking at the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the perfect platform to make a comeback from his ankle injury. The 31-year-old all-rounder, who led Australia to their first Border-Gavaskar Trophy win in over a decade, has been nursing a persistent ankle injury which has been a thorn in his side since the final Test against India in Sydney.
According to a recent interview with ‘cricket.com.au’, Cummins has been focusing on his family life during his recover, saying, "It’s been an amazing month or so just having full focus on family time and not having to do too much training or have my eye on a tour. Just being totally present has been really special." The father of two, whose daughter Edi was born recently, is delighted to have had a break from the rigors of international cricket, allowing him to spend quality time with his family.
However, the fast bowler is now setting his sights on returning to action with his IPL franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad, which begins on March 22, 2023. He hopes to start bowling over the next few weeks, building up his endurance and intensity, with the aim of being fully fit for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord’s on June 11, followed by a three-Test series in the Caribbean.
"I’m hoping to resume bowling in a few weeks’ time," Cummins said. "The good thing about a T20 tournament is the intensity is really high, so that obviously helps quite a bit." He also acknowledged that the ankle injury requires slow and steady recovery, saying, "It’s a funny one – it’s not like a hamstring where you need six weeks (to recover). It’s one of those ones where it really just needs a bit (more) rest to settle down."
Cummins’ injury is not new, but it’s not necessarily long-term either. He will have to manage it, taking regular breaks to allow for recovery. "A bit of a break now, hopefully it sets it up for the next year or so," he said, adding, "That’s the aim. It’s four overs in T20s. So physically it’s quite a nice build-up for the World Test Championship final, and then the Test matches after that."
In summary, Pat Cummins is targeting the Indian Premier League as a platform to regain his full fitness, which has been hampered by an ankle injury. He hopes to return to action with his IPL franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and then build up his endurance for the World Test Championship final and the upcoming Test series in the Caribbean.
