Cummins optimistic about rest of season
Captain hopes Sun will shine bright
In an exclusive interview, Australian cricketer and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain Pat Cummins opens up about the dynamic strategies behind T20 cricket, the electrifying support of SRH fans at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, and the evolving landscape of the sport in Australia. From managing workload to analysing bowling techniques, Cummins shares insights into his approach both on and off the field, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of professional cricket. only bowling four overs. But you have got to make sure that you are looking after yourself and don’t get burnt out. So outside of games and training, I try to relax as much as I can. Even during training, I try and make it short and sharp rather than spending hours there, knowing that the ground games, that’s where I want to concentrate my energy.
How do you think the SRH fans have supported the team, and what’s the atmosphere like playing at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium?
The stadium’s great. It’s been as loud as I have ever played in, really. It just feels like it’s been packed out every home game and the fans cheer for everything. I think the way they’ve responded to, particularly, some of those high totals that we scored... that Mumbai game here at the stadium was huge. The fans have been awesome.
How has cricket evolved in Australia from when it started till now?
I think T20 cricket’s getting bigger and bigger everywhere around the world. So we have the Big Bash league in Australia, which every summer gets really big, but in some ways it stays the same. Test cricket’s really well supported. So you go out to a Test match, big crowds, that’s what it feels like a lot of Australia are watching throughout the summer, which is the same as when I was a child, which is great.
How do you see the rest of the season unfolding for Sunrisers?
Very well, hopefully. You know, we won four games in a row, lost the last two, but it feels like we don’t have to change too much before getting back on the winning streak and, you just got to get yourself in that top four. And once you are in that top four, anything can happen in those finals. So I’m feeling really confident.
What was the mood exactly in the dressing room when you were taking on India in the World Cup final, because they had won every single match?
Oh, it’s exciting, really. We knew it was going to be tough, but in some ways felt like we had nothing to lose. You know, we had done really well to make that final and you don’t get many chances like those in your life. So you just wanted to go out and take it on. And if it didn’t work out, then that’s fine. But we just want to make sure that we put everything into that final and we did.