Pat Cummins on Mitchell Starc: A Rivalry Renewed in IPL 2024
Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc find themselves on opposing sides for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) versus Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) showdown in the IPL 2024 season.
Leading a franchise T20 team, Cummins explains, “is the biggest difference is that you know your team-mates really well playing for Australia.”
Mitchell Starc versus Pat Cummins. INR 24.75 crore as opposed to INR 20.50 crore. Hardly a rivalry, even though it has been hyped up before this Saturday’s Eden Gardens match between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). It will simply be “weird looking across and seeing him in the other dugout” for Cummins.
At a press conference held the day before the game, Cummins stated, “I will say this: hopefully I don’t have to face Starc because that means our batters have done quite well.” “It’s funny—one of the best things about the Indian Premier League—that after 15 years of playing with Starcy, I can’t recall ever playing against him. It will also be strange to look over and see him in the other dugout.”
However, there’s the large salary to meet. Indeed, it will be interesting to watch how we approach playing the opponent captain tomorrow. However, because we are both bowlers, I doubt that our paths will meet very often.”
Although Cummins has been Australia’s Test and ODI captain and has played international cricket in all formats since 2011, as has been discussed ever since he was selected SRH captain for the 2024 IPL season, he has never captained a T20 side at a competitive level. And fast bowling, too, for a captain.
“Very excited, all set to go,” Cummins stated, conceding that he had no prior T20 team management experience.
“It has its difficulties,” he clarified. “You play 14 games in six-seven weeks, including the finals, in that. Four overs isn’t as stressful on your body; I play a lot of Test cricket. But the trip, which is obviously in a foreign nation, and having to prepare for a new squad every few days may be emotionally exhausting. But we’ve done this before, so it’s not really new.
Of course, the biggest day is the game. We spend most of our days doing it. For all 14 games, no team fields the same starting lineup. We’ll need to mobilize our team, and we’re fortunate to have a youthful, physically fit team.
“It’s just a part of the IPL, I believe; there are a lot of supporters that have high expectations for the team and want them to do well. Yes, there is undoubtedly a little bit more [responsibility] involved in being captain. However, as players, it’s not all that different from what we’re used to. We’ll put our all into it.
Cummins had a straightforward message for the players who don’t get many opportunities: “You want a bit of people rivalry, you know, a bit of rivalry when people try to break into the XI.”
Travis Head, whom Cummins leads in Tests and ODIs, will be his teammate at SRH. However, guiding Australia—whom he has captained to world titles in both formats—will be considerably different from this.
“The main distinction is that, as an Australian player, you have a close bond with your teammates. After 15 years of playing with Joshie Hazlewood and Starc, there are many things that don’t need to be addressed.
As a result, there is a genuine sense of trust and little need for communication—everything sort of works itself out,” Cummins stated. “I believe that the main difference going forward will be getting to know some new players and their various responsibilities on the club. Naturally, I know a couple of the other guys, and in an effort to bring out the best in them, I’ve done some homework. However, that will most likely be the most significant distinction.
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Wanindu Hasaranga is a member of the ranks, but it eliminates one overseas berth, leaving just two, with Cummins starting as captain. Washington Sundar and Mayank Markande are SRH’s top spin alternatives outside of Hasaranga. Both have been reliable players in the IPL over the years, but their names aren’t quite intimidating to opponents.
“Whilst not having any huge names that have played a lot of cricket for India, I’ve been really impressed with the guys we do have,” Cummins stated. Washington is a useful over provider who can bat in the top seven. And Markande, who has also achieved some success.
I believe we have that taken care of. Guys like Aiden Markram and Travis Head are also available to help out if necessary. Thus, it seems like there is some quality there, and we have plenty of bowlers if the wicket is spinning.”
which may be the case at Eden Gardens, a place Cummins is familiar with from his time as a player for KKR. Cummins would like to give it another go on Saturday, although his incredible 14-ball half-century came in Pune against the Mumbai Indians rather than Kolkata.
“I’d love to, maybe. It’s a lot of fun. Compared to attempting to block, loiter, and cop a few on the body, it’s a lot more enjoyable,” he remarked. “Well, I’m looking forward to it, especially the Indian Premier League, as I’ve done well in it over the years. I’ll attempt to reclaim some of the sixes that I’ve been hit for during my life.
