Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra showered praise on Australian captain Pat Cummins after his stellar spell on the second day of the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s on Thursday.
Cummins returned with impressive figures of 6-28 and played a key role in skittling out South Africa at 138. Thus, Australia were able to take a crucial lead of 74 runs to put themselves in front.
Cummins was right on the money with his line and length and breathed down the neck of the Proteas batter. After dismissing Wiaan Mulder on the opening day, Cummins accounted for Marco Jansen, Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, and Kagiso Rabada on the second day’s play.
South Africa were 121-5 at the Lunch break but Cummins was brilliant after the interval as the Proteas lost the remaining five wickets for 17 runs.
“South Africa started with good intent. They played well in the first session, but Pat Cummins came after that. He picked up six wickets. What a bowler. He is probably slightly less celebrated because he has Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood alongside him,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“However, Pat Cummins, the captain, and Pat Cummins, the bowler, he is a superstar. He has the most five-wicket hauls in this WTC cycle. He has also taken the most wickets. He has run ahead of Jasprit Bumrah,” he added.
Chopra highlighted that Cummins bowls every ball with purpose and reaps rewards for bowling a hard length.
“The ball doesn’t swing that much when it gets older, and he is not a swing bowler either. He hits the deck hard, and the ball moves left or right after pitching. It seems like every ball is bowled with purpose. There isn’t even a single ball that is just floated. He bowls an impeccable length,” Chopra observed.
Meanwhile, the renowned commentator added that Pat Cummins builds a case that you can have a fast bowler as Test captain.
“He repeatedly builds a case that you can actually have fast bowlers as captains. What’s the drawback of making a bowler the captain? Either they overbowl themselves or they underbowl themselves. As a bowler, that’s a challenge for a captain,” he said.
Chopra hailed Cummins’ fitness as he doesn’t take a break after bowling his overs as he has to lead his team.
“You are not allowed to go out as well, and he has been doing that constantly. We saw that in ODIs, the IPL, and he does that job constantly in Test cricket. He doesn’t take a break. He is outstanding, supremely fit, very skillful, constantly in for a fight, and a phenomenal leader who uses his bowlers extremely well,” Chopra observed.
Australia currently leads by 218 runs in the second innings with two wickets in hand.
