Explained: Why no Pat Cummins in Australia’s white-ball squads for the India series?

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Australia have announced their white-ball squads for the upcoming home series against India, with the major talking point being the absence of captain Pat Cummins. The decision to leave Cummins out of both the ODI and T20I squads has been met with keen interest and questions from fans and cricket analysts. Cummins, one of the premier fast bowlers and leaders in world cricket, will not participate in the series due to a recurring injury issue, prompting Australia to manage his workload carefully ahead of a crucial Ashes campaign.

Cummins has been sidelined from the entire limited-overs series against India primarily because of a lumbar bone stress injury. The Australian cricket board, Cricket Australia (CA), has decided to prioritize Cummins’ long-term fitness over short-term gains, especially with the Ashes series against England looming later this summer. After medical scans revealed the presence of lumbar bone stress – a condition affecting the lower back – CA opted for a cautious rehabilitation program for Cummins, ruling him out of both the three-match ODI series starting October 19 and the five-match T20I series scheduled to follow.

Cummins’ injury is related to a lower back problem that has affected him periodically during his career. The recurring nature of this injury has led the Australian management to take a conservative approach, ensuring that the pace spearhead does not aggravate the condition with limited-overs matches that would add to his workload. This decision reflects a broader strategy to have Cummins fully fit and match-ready for the Ashes, where he is expected to play a vital role for Australia in their quest to retain the iconic trophy.

Mitchell Marsh will step up as captain in Cummins’ absence for the white-ball games against India, indicating a transition phase as Australia balances player workloads across formats. The selection panel has also brought in fresh faces like Matthew Renshaw and Mitchell Owen to bolster the squad, indicating a blend of experience and youth aimed at maintaining competitiveness.

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Cummins’ absence leaves a significant void in Australia’s bowling attack, with experience and leadership lacking in the pace department. However, the squad features seasoned campaigners like Mitchell Starc, who returns to the ODI lineup after a spell of workload management, alongside emerging talents such as Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis. The batting unit will also see some changes, including the inclusion of Renshaw following strong domestic performances.

Australia’s squad for the series will include players such as Alex Carey, Travis Head, Cameron Green (returning to ODI after injury but absent from T20Is to focus on Ashes prep), Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa. Glenn Maxwell also remains unavailable as he continues to recover from a fractured wrist sustained earlier this year. With Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis and Marnus Labuschagne dropped from the T20I setup due to form and fitness issues, the squad reflects a team undergoing transition with an eye on the future.

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