Pat Cummins, the Test and ODI captain of Australia, has revealed the secret behind Australia’s consistent success in ICC tournaments. Under Cummins’ leadership, Australia won two ICC titles in 2023, making him the only captain in cricket history to win two ICC titles in a single year.
Pat Cummins on Australian Mneatlity to win trophies
In an exclusive interview with Sports Tak, Cummins explained that the key to winning ICC trophies lies in striking a balance between mentality and approach. He emphasized that while it’s important to de-pressurize a final, it’s equally crucial to acknowledge that the performance in the match will be remembered for a long time.
“You cannot discount the factor of luck in winning an ICC title. We spend a lot of time balancing between de-pressurising a final, but at the same time kind of acknowledging that you are going to spend a long time in your life looking back and making sure you play the way you wanted to play. We have had a bit of success taking the confidence of a final into the next one,” Cummins told Sports Tak.
He also acknowledged the role of luck in winning an ICC title. Despite meticulous preparation and strategy, the unpredictable nature of cricket means that luck can often play a significant role in the outcome of a match.
When asked about the challenges of winning the ODI World Cup, Cummins highlighted the difficulties of playing in foreign conditions, dealing with injuries, and maintaining form. He said, “The ODI World Cup, we have to beat every other team. We were playing in Indian conditions, which was quite foreign to us. We had injuries to deal with and form to deal with, so a lot of things had to come together, and it did come together in the final. And you know, that’s what makes it so satisfying you know. It’s not easy.”
As the T20 World Cup approaches, Cummins expressed that while Australia might not be the favourites, they are entering the tournament with a lot of confidence. He said, “Not sure we are favourites. We are one of the better sides who are coming into the tournament with some form. Confidence is a big thing in T20 cricket and we will give it our best crack.”
Pat Cummins is also set to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final of IPL 2024. On Captaincy’s debut in IPL, he turned the tides and overcame all the challenges so far in the tournaments. As SRH competes against the might of KKR in the final, the win ensures Cummins an incredible portfolio of winning The Ashes, WTC Championship, Cricket World Cup and the IPL all in a span of 12 months.
