IND vs AUS: Pat Cummins to miss third Test due to family concerns; Steve Smith to lead Australia

Pat Cummins. (Photo Source: BCCI)

Australian skipper Pat Cummins will miss the upcoming third Test match of the Border Gavaskar series against India after Cricket Australia announced on Friday that the pacer will remain in his hometown to address the well-being of his mother. Australian batting ace Steve Smith will lead the team for the third Test in the absence of the pacer.

Pat Cummins flew to Sydney after the second Test in Delhi and has decided to spend another week with his mother, Gillian, who is in palliative care. The pacer was supposed to return for the third Test in Indore, which commences on March 1. However, the Australian team will have to do without the services of their influential skipper, with Steve Smith taking the captaincy reins for the third Test.

“I have decided against returning to India at this time as my mother is ill and in palliative care. I feel I am best being here with my family. I appreciate the overwhelming support I have received from Cricket Australia and my teammates. Thanks for your understanding,” Cummins said on Friday.

Australian team will leave for Indore on Sunday

The visitors are under severe pressure after losing the opening two Test matches and the absence of their skipper will further dampen their chances of an unlikely comeback. Although there has not been any update on the time frame of Cummins’ absence, he might miss the fourth Test in Ahmedabad as well, leaving the captaincy duties with his deputy Steve Smith.

Smith, who rejoined the squad on Thursday after a three-day break in Dubai with his wife, was informed about Cummins’ decision and met head coach Andrew McDonald at their hotel on Friday morning before leaving for Indore on Sunday. The no.2 Test batter in the world led the side against the West Indies in the second Test in Adelaide in December 2022 after Cummins missed the match due to an injury.

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