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As he celebrates his 31st birthday, Indian fans might raise a toast (or perhaps a silent prayer) to the Aussie quick, hoping his birthday wish doesn't involve another bowling masterclass against them in the upcoming season!
Pat Cummins, the Aussie pace machine, turns 31 today! This birthday isn't just about cake and candles; it's a chance to celebrate a fast bowler who has consistently struck fear into the hearts of batters, especially those wearing Indian colors.
Cummins, the current Australian captain, has carved a fearsome reputation across formats, leading his team to glory in the World Test Championship and the 2023 ODI World Cup.
But when it comes to facing India, Cummins seems to find an extra gear, unleashing spells of raw pace and pinpoint accuracy that have left Indian batting lineups in tatters. Let's revisit five such fiery performances that cemented Cummins' status as India's bowling bête noire.
The 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) was a nail-biter, with both teams winning a test each heading into the crucial Sydney encounter. Australia, fueled by a Steve Smith century, posted a competitive 338. India needed a strong showing with the bat to take control, but Cummins had other plans.
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Pat in joyous mood
In a scorching spell of 21.4 overs, he conceded a mere 29 runs and scalped four crucial wickets, derailing the Indian batting line-up and restricting them to 244. While India fought back valiantly in the second innings, Cummins' early blows proved decisive, forcing a draw and keeping the series alive.
A low-scoring thriller in Nagpur witnessed another Cummins masterclass. Chasing a modest target of 251, India needed their batting to click. However, Cummins had other ideas. He dismissed the big guns—Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, derailing India's chase.
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4/29 from Pat Cummins has helped Australia bowl out India for 250 in Nagpur
His spell of 4/29 in nine overs put immense pressure on the middle order, and with some disciplined bowling from the rest of the attack, Australia secured an eight-run victory.
The pink-ball Adelaide Test of the 2020–21 BGT will forever be etched in Indian cricketing memory, and not for good reasons. India, in a strong position after the first innings, were inexplicably bundled out for a mere 36 runs—their lowest ever Test total.
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Cummins celebrating his wicket
Cummins played a pivotal role in this historic collapse, picking up four wickets for just 21 runs in a devastating spell of 10.2 overs. His relentless pace and accuracy were simply too hot to handle for the Indian batsmen, setting the stage for a comprehensive Australian victory.
A high-scoring encounter in Mohali showcased India's batting might, with Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma slamming centuries to propel them to a mammoth 358/9. The target seemed daunting, but Cummins, ever the warrior, stood tall. He conceded 70 runs but picked up five crucial wickets, ensuring India didn't add those extra 20–30 runs that could have proved decisive.
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Pat on a roll
This spell proved vital as Ashton Turner's blistering 84* off 43 balls snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for Australia. This win kept them alive in the series, which they eventually went on to win 3-2.
Cummins' best bowling figures against India came in a losing effort, but they perfectly encapsulate his ability to single-handedly wreck batting lineups. In the second Test of the 2018-19 BGT at the MCG, India had a massive 292-run lead after a dominant bowling performance by Jasprit Bumrah.
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Best bowling figure against India
Australia, needing a fightback, found their hero in Cummins. Bowling on a notoriously flat wicket, he ripped through the Indian top order, dismissing each of their top five batsmen. This spell, a masterclass in pace and control, showcased Cummins' brilliance as a fast bowler, even though it wasn't enough to secure victory for Australia.
