NEW DELHI: Pat Cummins led Australia to ODI World Cup final victory against India, World Test Championship final win against India and now under his captaincy, Australia clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since 2014-15. Cummins finished the series at the second spot, taking 25 wickets.
After his team ended a ten-year drought by defeating India in a series and advancing to the World Test Championship finals for the second consecutive year, Cummins praised his “special” close-knit group on Sunday.
After a crushing 295-run loss in the opening match at Perth, the hosts rallied for a six-wicket triumph in Sydney to secure a 3-1 series win.
For many Australians, defeating India has remained an unattainable ambition despite the team’s long history together.
Only Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Steve Smith were on the team that defeated their bitter rivals in the last series ten years earlier.
Cummins declared himself “immensely proud” of the accomplishments by his team.
“Obviously in the context of this series, it’s been a massive series,” he said after his 20th win as captain.
“It is one that a few of us didn’t have. The boys have had their eye on it and it has lived up to the hype.
“We’ve spent a lot of time together as a group over the years, so we knew we weren’t at our best at Perth.
“But it was never as bad as it seems. So you stick tight and double down on what makes us a really good side.”
Australia will defend the World Test Championship against South Africa at Lord’s in June thanks to the victory.
“It’s such a special group, we have so much fun,” added Cummins of the squad.
“I feel so privileged to first of all have this job.
“But what we’ve been able to achieve together alongside the support staff as well, it’s such a group effort, families as well. They give up so much. So yeah, really proud.”
Three debutants were introduced by Australia during the series: all-rounder Beau Webster in the fifth Test, Sam Konstas after the first three Tests, and opener Nathan McSweeney, who was axed after the first three Tests.
They also made extensive use of veterans like Travis Head, Starc, and Smith.
“Always nice to have a squad,” said Cummins.
“The three debutants in this series fitted in well. They contributed in different times.
“There were some key moments when our mainstays really stood up. You need to do that to beat a side like India.”
