Border-Gavaskar Trophy first Test: The loss does hurt but India played well, says Pat Cummins

Australian skipper Pat Cummins reflects on loss to India, praises opponents, plans for next Test, and denies squad rift.

Pat Cummins had a smile that never reached his eyes. Losing captains often have to deal with a quick inquisition from the media once a match concludes and Cummins was trying to be as phlegmatic as he could at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Monday (November 25, 2024). “It does hurt but India played well,” the Australian skipper said.

From bowling out India for 150 and then watching the first Test slip from his grasp, Cummins had a lot to process internally: “India bowled well on that first day and that got them back. They then batted well in the second innings. (Yashasvi) Jaiswal, (K.L.) Rahul and (Virat) Kohli did well.”

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Asked if some of his players would look for some game-time as the second Test will commence at Adelaide only on December 6, Cummins replied: “I think we will head home for a bit and may assemble in Adelaide a day earlier considering the Test here got over early. We will work on our plans then. At the beginning of this Test, we believed that this is the best team that we could have and I don’t think there will be too many changes.”

About the lack of runs from Marnus Labuschagne, Cummins said: “He has been working hard and yes he didn’t do that well but we all know what a threat he can be to bowlers.” The host captain was also quick to deny speculations over a rift between the bowlers and batters within the squad: “There have been times the batters have bailed us bowlers out. We are a tight group.”