Pat Cummins, Australia’s premier fast bowler, has disclosed that an injury has forced him to withdraw from the T20 World Cup 2026. His decision was also influenced by his commitment to being fully fit for the upcoming Test season, which he aims to participate in entirely. As the tournament approaches, Cummins has been sidelined due to an unresolved back injury, prompting the selection of Ben Dwarshuis as his replacement.
“It’s really disappointing. I’m feeling okay, but it’s just a minor setback that came down to timing. I plan to take a few weeks off to recuperate and then reassess. After the Adelaide Test, we anticipated needing four to eight weeks for the bone to heal before I could ramp up my training. Initially, I thought it would only take about four weeks since I was feeling optimistic, but a follow-up scan indicated that more time was needed,” Cummins explained.
He further mentioned that he believes the first half of the year is critical for managing his workload carefully. “We agreed that being conservative during this period makes sense given the amount of cricket ahead of us,” he added.
The T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off on February 7, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Australia finds itself in Group B alongside Ireland, Oman, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe. The team’s campaign will commence with a match against Ireland on February 11 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. They will then face Zimbabwe on February 13 at the same venue.
Australia’s third group match will be against Sri Lanka on February 16 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Balagolla, followed by a clash with Oman on February 20 at the same location. The Super 8 stage will commence on February 21, with the semi-finals scheduled for March 4 and 5. The grand finale is set for March 8, with the venue yet to be confirmed.
(With ANI Inputs)