IPL 2024: 3 reasons why appointing Pat Cummins as SRH captain could be a wrong decision
Pat Cummins has joined the SRH camp.
Pat Cummins earned a cheque of INR 20.5 crore in the auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. It was almost certain by then that his team, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) would have different plans for him. Cummins was always expected to be the big catch after such a successful year as the Australia captain.
The fast-bowler led his country to the World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 and the ODI World Cup 2023 glory, both against India. Now just a week before the start of the IPL 2024, SRH decided to appoint Cummins as their new captain.
The 30-year-old veteran is a team player and can trouble the batters with pace. The decision to make him the captain seems to be more of an emotional one and a financial requirement. But it’s worth wondering if this is the best decision from the ‘Orange Army’.
Let’s delve into three reasons why the appointment of Cummins as the SRH captain could be a wrong decision
1. Pat Cummins’ inexperience in leading sides in T20s
Pat Cummins replaced Aiden Markram in the captaincy spot for SRH. The former hasn’t led many T20 sides in professional cricket and is also not a regular member of his country’s T20I team.
With the progression of 20-over games over the recent years, it’s so vital to understand the ebbs and flows of the game as a leader. It requires quick action and a great presence of mind in a short period. The lack of experience of Cummins in leading T20 sides could prove to be tough in crunch moments.
On the flip of the coin, Markram has captained in 47 T20s. He also carried Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC), owned by the SRH franchise, to their second successive SA20 trophy.
2. Inconsistent performance in T20s from Pat Cummins
Cummins, as a T20 bowler, hasn’t performed sweetly. He has 57 wickets in 52 T20Is at an average of 24.77. In 130 T20s, he has 145 scalps but at an economy of almost eight. However, his T20I numbers in India are possibly one of the worst ones. In five T20Is in the Asian Country, the pacer has picked up just 4 wickets at a whooping economy of 9.94.
His records in the IPL are not too good either. In 42 games, the guy from Sydney has collected 45 wickets at an economy of 8.54. In his last season in 2022, he went for an economy rate of 10.69 in five matches. On so many occasions, his expensive overs cost the team.
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3. Cummins will permanently eat up one overseas spot in the playing XI
Too many options can sometimes be the elephant in the room. With Pat Cummins being the captain, he will eat up one overseas spot in the playing XI. In an ideal set-up, SRH’s best player from last season, Heinrich Klassen will do the glove work. One of Wanindu Hasaranga and Marco Jansen will surely feature in the side.
Travis Head was brought in the team for his aggressive nature at the top. Where will Glenn Phillips play then? His omission will destroy the balance of the side. Markram will also feel hard done by the decision, and may not find a place in the team too.
SRH will begin their IPL 2024 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 23 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
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