Irfan Pathan, a former fast bowler from India, mentioned that Pat Cummins hasn’t yet shown his skills in T20 cricket, questioning the hefty price paid by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for him in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction held last December.
In the IPL 2024 auction, there were surprises as two players were bought for record amounts. Sunrisers got Cummins for Rs 20.50 crore, while Kolkata Knight Riders purchased Mitchell Starc for Rs 24.75 crore, making it the highest ever purchase in IPL history.
The buzz around Australian players increased after their 2023 ODI World Cup victory in India. Players like Travis Head, Pat Cummins, and Starc were already in demand by franchises even before the bidding started.
Irfan feels Cummins needs to do more in T20 cricket to justify his price tag for SRH.
Irfan, talking to Star Sports, pointed out that Pat Cummins hasn’t performed well in T20 internationals or other franchise leagues. He thinks SRH might have taken a risk by selecting him.
“Pat Cummins hasn’t proved himself in T20 cricket, not even in Australian cricket. If he doesn’t lead Australia in T20Is, there will be doubts about such a high price tag,” said Irfan.
Although Pat Cummins is good in longer formats, Irfan believes his price will pressure SRH management during team selection.
“His T20 numbers aren’t impressive. But when you pay so much, you can’t keep him out. So, they will feel pressure,” Irfan added.
However, the 39-year-old thinks SRH has options with players like Head and Wanindu Hasaranga, creating healthy competition for selection.
“They’ll have a tough time picking the XI, but it’s good. It’s better to have choices. I think SunRisers will have a different team this year, which is good,” Irfan said.
No matter the team’s composition, fans will be watching Cummins closely in the next season, hoping he proves his worth.