Pat Cummins highlighted the IPL 2020 auction as the Australian pacer bagged a deal worth Rs 15.5 Crore with Kolkata Knight Riders. The two-time champions made a late entry during the auction and shelled out a huge amount to make him the costliest overseas signing in the history of IPL. Cummins leapfrogged Ben Stokes’ record, who was bought by Rising Pune Supergiant for Rs 14.50 Crore in IPL 2017 auction.
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Cummins has been on the field right since World Cup 2019 and will soon be travelling India for three ODIs. He will, after India tour, take a rest and will not be taking part in the ongoing Big Bash League 2019/20. The news was confirmed by Shane Bond, the Sydney Thunders’ coach.
The team will miss out on the services of their key pacer but looking at his workload, Cummins need this break. He was the only Australian pacer to play in all five Ashes Tests. He later played the home T20Is and Pakistan Tests.
Cummins will again lead the pace attack in the rest of the two Tests against New Zealand before flying to India for three ODIs. He will be back in action for South Africa and New Zealand series before returning to play IPL 2020.
Cummins bagged a deal worth Rs 5.4 Crore with Mumbai Indians in IPL 2018 auction but was ruled out due to back issue. He was one of the Australian players who did not take part in IPL 2019. The right-arm pacer will join KKR with high expectations and will hope to deliver the results.
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However, he along with few other Australian might miss the start of the league as Australia play New Zealand in the last week of March while IPL is likely to start on March 28.
While Cummins will miss the Big Bash League, Steven Smith will make his return to the T20 competition after a long time. He will play for Sydney Sixers.