Pat Cummins eyes comeback through IPL, following T20 World Cup exit

Australia’s ODI and Test captain Pat Cummins is already looking ahead, despite being forced to withdraw from the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Affected by a back injury, the fast bowler admitted he ran out of time to be fit for the tournament. However, with long-term fitness in mind, Cummins has set his eyes on a return through the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he hopes to regain full fitness while safeguarding his body ahead of Australia’s tough 2026-27 schedule.

Cummins’ absence from the T20

World Cup in Sri Lanka and India comes as a major blow to Australia. He has been replaced by Ben Dwarshuis, while Mitchell Starc’s retirement from T20Is and Josh Hazlewood’s injury further weaken Australia’s pace resources. The decision to withdraw came after months of rehabilitation following a back injury that has troubled him since Australia toured the Caribbean last July.

The 32-year-old has played just one match since then, the Ashes-clinching Test in Adelaide. Initially, Cummins was expected to be sidelined for four weeks, allowing him enough time to return for the World Cup. However, a follow-up scan revealed that the bone required additional healing time, pushing recovery closer to the eight-week mark.

T20s are a little bit easier to get up for than Tests: Cummins

Given his history of recurring back problems early in his career, the pacer chose not to risk aggravating the injury. With Australia set to enter an unprecedented phase of international cricket from August 2026, the decision was as much about the future as it was about the present. The packed calendar includes home Tests against Bangladesh, a tour of South Africa, four Tests against New Zealand, a five-Test series in India, an away Ashes, the ODI World Cup, and a possible World Test Championship final at Lord’s.

Cummins stated that pushing himself now could mean chasing his tail during this grueling period. Instead, the focus is on complete recovery, gradual buildup, and returning without compromise. The IPL, starting on March 26, is a good platform. As Sunrisers Hyderabad’s captain, Cummins hopes the shorter format will ease his transition back to cricket, provided his back responds well to rest and rehabilitation.

"We thought the first half of the year was a pretty good time to be conservative with the amount of cricket that's coming up. We'll get it right, then hopefully that will mean you won't have to worry about it, and you can just go out and play all those Test matches. Whereas, if you're not careful with it now and it flares up, you're chasing tail a bit. We'll just be guided by my back. We'll have another scan in a few weeks, and if it's good, then we'll have a slow build-up. T20s are a little bit easier to get up for [than Tests], that's why I was so close to getting up for this World Cup," he said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.