“Ankle Is Starting to Come Good” – Cummins Eyes IPL 2025 Return After Injury
Australia’s Pat Cummins is on the path to recovery from an ankle injury that ruled him out of the Champions Trophy 2025, but the fast bowler is confident of making a competitive comeback in time for IPL 2025, where he is set to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad.
After guiding Australia to a 2-1 Test series win over India, Cummins was forced to sit out the two-match home series against the West Indies and the ongoing Champions Trophy due to his injury. However, the 31-year-old pacer is optimistic about his fitness, confirming that his ankle is “starting to come good” and that he has resumed running. He plans to start bowling in the next few days as he builds up towards IPL 2025.
“That’s the aim at this stage — start bowling over the next week or so, build up, and should be right for IPL. It’s probably just making sure you’re still bowling quite a few balls (during the IPL). The good thing about a T20 tournament is the intensity is really high, so that obviously helps quite a bit,” Cummins told cricket.com.au
With Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) set to begin their IPL campaign on March 23 against Rajasthan Royals, Cummins believes the fast-paced, high-intensity T20 format will help him gradually regain match fitness, preparing him for the ICC World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s on June 11.
“The ankle is starting to come good… It’s one of those injuries where it just needs a bit more rest to settle down. I’ve been doing loads of rehab in the gym and trying to build back up slowly. Especially for a fast bowler, you’ve got to step towards things gradually—first start running, then bowling, and build up over time.”
IPL vs. Champions Trophy: Are Players Prioritizing T20 Leagues Over ICC Events?
While Cummins’ injury ruled him out of the Champions Trophy 2025, his eagerness to be fit in time for the IPL has reignited an ongoing debate in world cricket—Are top players prioritizing franchise T20 leagues over international tournaments?
According to multiple reports, Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has also opted out of the Champions Trophy despite being fit, allegedly to focus on his IPL 2025 commitments with Mumbai Indians. Sources suggest that Bumrah was available for selection, but his withdrawal has raised questions about whether players are now treating ICC tournaments as secondary to lucrative T20 leagues like the IPL.
This situation is similar to Cummins, who, despite being injured, is determined to ensure his return aligns perfectly with the IPL schedule rather than pushing for a comeback in the Champions Trophy.
The ICC Champions Trophy, once regarded as a prestigious event, is losing its status as a priority for many top cricketers. With T20 leagues offering massive financial incentives, the growing perception is that players now manage their schedules strategically, often prioritizing short-format leagues over longer ICC tournaments.
Former Cricketers React: “International Cricket is Taking a Backseat”
The growing trend of players skipping ICC tournaments to focus on franchise leagues has sparked widespread debate, with several former cricketers voicing their concerns.
- Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar recently criticized the growing influence of T20 leagues, stating that international cricket is taking a backseat due to the overwhelming dominance of franchise cricket.
- Australian legend Ricky Ponting had previously warned that the future of bilateral cricket could be in danger if players continue to prioritize leagues like the IPL over national duty.
- Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar also weighed in, expressing disappointment that players are increasingly valuing money over national representation.
While franchises like Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad heavily rely on marquee players, critics argue that international cricket boards must assert more control over players’ commitments to prevent a further decline in ICC event participation.
IPL’s Growing Influence on Player Workload & National Commitments
The IPL has become the most financially rewarding T20 league, and players worldwide view it as a non-negotiable part of their careers. Given the massive paychecks, it’s no surprise that top stars, including Cummins and Bumrah, are ensuring that they are fully fit and available for the IPL while missing out on ICC tournaments.
Even Ben Stokes, England’s Test captain, previously withdrew from international commitments to participate in franchise leagues, highlighting how even top-level players prioritize T20 leagues for financial stability.
As IPL franchises grow stronger with long-term player investments, national teams are struggling to maintain control over their stars. With the Champions Trophy struggling to attract full-strength squads, it raises concerns about whether ICC tournaments—apart from the World Cup—can continue to command the same level of importance they once did.
Pakistan’s Struggles Amid Player Withdrawals
While Australia and India are dealing with their own player workload issues, Pakistan has also been severely impacted by high-profile player withdrawals. Fakhar Zaman, one of Pakistan’s most experienced batters, was ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to injury, adding to Pakistan’s problems ahead of their crucial match against India.
With players increasingly prioritizing leagues over national duty, cricket’s traditional landscape is undergoing a major transformation—one that could reshape the future of international cricket scheduling.
What Lies Ahead? International Boards vs. T20 Leagues
As Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah gear up for IPL 2025, the question remains—are ICC tournaments losing relevance in the face of franchise cricket’s dominance?
While Cummins remains focused on returning to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad, this controversy highlights a larger issue: players no longer view ICC events as the pinnacle of their careers, choosing instead to ensure peak fitness for T20 leagues.
With the IPL set to start on March 22, Cummins’ return and Bumrah’s withdrawal will likely fuel further debates about player workload, financial incentives, and national duty vs. franchise commitments.
The IPL vs. International cricket battle is just getting started—and it’s clear which side is currently winning.
The Rising IPL Supremacy
With top players managing their schedules around IPL and T20 leagues, cricket’s balance is shifting towards franchise supremacy. Cummins’ comeback timeline aligns perfectly with IPL 2025, reinforcing the notion that players are choosing leagues over ICC events.
As the Champions Trophy struggles with big-name withdrawals, the debate continues—is international cricket becoming secondary to IPL’s financial lure?
One thing is clear: the IPL’s growing influence is changing the game, and traditional formats must adapt or risk becoming irrelevant in the modern cricketing era.
