Pat Cummins recalls his first interaction with KKR co-owner
Pat Cummins is one of the finest fast bowlers going around, and his record across formats is nothing but impressive. Thanks to his ability to create magic with the ball, the Australian pace spearhead has been a vital cog of his national team for the past few years. Alongside international cricket, Cummins has also been showing his prowess in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
In fact, Cummins bagged a staggering contract of INR 15.5 crore from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2020, making him the most expensive player in IPL history at that time. It’s pretty evident that KKR’s co-owner Shah Rukh Khan would have been a fan of Cummins’ skills. The Aussie pacer also rose to the expectations and helped KKR with both and the ball.
In a recent interaction, the 28-year-old was asked to recall his first encounter with Shah Rukh Khan. With the Bollywood star being one of the most celebrated actors around the world, meeting him in person would be a dream for many. However, it wasn’t the case with Pat Cummins. In fact, the pacer said that he didn’t even know Shah Rukh upon his first meeting with the KKR co-owner.
I was like this guy seems cool, he’s got a real aura: Pat Cummins
“The first time I ever met Shah Rukh Khan, I had no idea who he was. I think I was 18 or 19 years old and I never watched a Bollywood film. I heard that Shah Rukh was the owner (of KKR). It was quite naive (first encounter with Khan). I didn’t think of many. I was like this guy seems cool, he’s got a real aura and has big security guards,” Cummins said while featuring in the Anubhav Jain Show.
The fast bowler further said that Shah Rukh allows the players to enjoy the game and never puts any pressure.
“Last couple of seasons, he has not be able to get in the bubble but he helps on the zoom calls. In terms of the leader and owner of the team, you can’t ask for a better one because he only asks his players to enjoy the game and play with the freedom which is a rare thing” he added.
Meanwhile, Dinesh Karthik has confirmed that Cummins will not join KKR in the latter half of the IPL 2021, which will get underway in September. The tournament was suspended midway on May 4 due to the COVID-19 crisis, and the remaining matches will take place in UAE.
Pat Cummins opines on prospects of becoming Australia’s captain
Cricket is a contest between the bat and the ball. But one would wish if the game that sounds as simple was truly as simple. The sport needs bowlers as much as it needs batters and neither’s role can be cast down. It won’t be wrong, then, to expect bowlers to be leaders in the game and captain the sides. However, the reality remains that batters do not dominate only the game in the modern-day, but also the role of captains.
One team that has had constant chatter going around the leadership role in the last few years is Australia, thanks to a piece of sandpaper that changed the entire landscape of their cricket. While Tim Paine has held that role ever since Newlands ball-tampering fiasco, he has not been considered to be a long-term option by many. The debate of who should lead the team has been a long-standing one, with some suggesting the reinstatement of Steve Smith, a few backing the incumbent skipper, while another set suggesting a new face, Pat Cummins.
Australia has not had a bowler as captain in Test cricket since Riche Benaud in the 1960s. Since him, the team has seen 18 captains, all either batters or all-rounders, but none a designated bowler. A host of cricketers, however, root for Cummins to take that charge. Opening up on the same recently on the Anubhav Jain show, the 28-year-old revealed his stand.
I’m happy as long as I am in team: Pat Cummins
“Honestly, I am not too fussed about it. I am a bowler; I love bowling and I love playing. As long as I am in the team, I am stoked and [look for] where I can help out [the team]. Tim Paine has been doing a great job in the Test side and Finchy [Aaron Finch] with the One Day Internationals and T20Is. I try and help them out in the best way possible,” said Cummins on being asked to share his views on the captaincy debate.
“In terms of the future, I don’t have too much experience, so it is nice that I have been mentioned [for the role of captaincy]. If it happens, it will be great and I will try my best. If it does not, [that’s] also great. As long as I am playing for Australia, I don’t give a huge amount of time to think this,” he added.
