IND vs AUS fifth Test: Huge win, amazing feeling to hold the Border-Gavaskar trophy, says Pat Cummins

Australian captain Pat Cummins reflects on Border-Gavaskar Trophy win, praises Virat Kohli, hints at missing Sri Lanka tour.

A wide grin plastered on his face, Pat Cummins strode into the press-conference hall at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday (January 5, 2025). Looking at the just concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, the Australian captain said: “It is a huge win. I felt it was kind of see-sawing throughout the whole series, so to finish it at 3-1 and to hold the trophy is an amazing feeling.”

Reflecting on the last few months, Cummins said: “We grew up watching Test cricket, loving it, so to be right in the mix, you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world for these couple of months.”

With Virat Kohli probably having played his last set of Tests in Australia, Cummins was quick to praise: “It has always been a wonderful contest (against him). More than just the runs that he brings to the game, it is also the debate he stirs, sometimes it can roil you as an opposition, which I am sure is part of his plans. It will be a shame if he doesn’t play any more Tests here.”

Asked about the turnaround after the loss in the first Test at Perth, Cummins said: “We always knew we had a good team. The message was to stay strong. To get the selections right.” The host skipper praised his team, especially key players like Scott Boland and debutant Beau Webster.

As for the imminent tour of Sri Lanka, Cummins hinted that he might skip as he is expecting his second child: “Becky’s (his wife) hanging on at the moment, so we will play it by ear. But I think, mostly I might struggle to get over there (Sri Lanka).”