Pat Cummins’ massive IPL payday in danger of being dismissed because of coronavirus pandemic
It worked out at just under $10,000 a delivery for Pat Cummins at this year’s Indian Premier League tournament, but the COVID-19 pandemic could see him end up with empty pockets instead.
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Pat Cummins could lose up $3.2 million if this year’s Indian Premier League is delayed or cancelled.
The Aussie quick has the most to lose after Kolkata Knight Riders bought him for that price tag and he is in constant talks with the team.
“We’d love that (T20 World Cup) to happen in a perfect world, and I could get really greedy (and say) I’d love the IPL to happen as well,” Cummins said on Friday.
“I’m a little bit (nervous). They obviously haven’t cancelled it yet.
“But the travel ban is still in until April 14, so I don’t expect anything to happen too soon.
“The last I spoke to them (KKR) they were still really confident and hopeful it’ll go on at some stage.”
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The IPL was scheduled to start on March 29 but has been pushed back to April 15.
Cricket Australia was happy to let players cash in this year, given the IPL would provide T20 experience before World Cups this year and next year in Australia and then India.
But world cricket’s entire calendar is in doubt because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
England faces losing an entire home summer, including the inaugural 100-ball league, The Hundred.
Cummins was poised to pocket just under $10,000 per delivery in the six-week IPL tournament.
Mitchell Starc will make “only” $1500 per ball in the Hundred should that go ahead. Starc did not nominate for the 2020 IPL.
Glenn Maxwell ($2.2 million) and Nathan Coulter-Nile ($1.6 million) were also bought for life-changing salaries while Steve Smith and David Warner retained their $2.4 million contracts.
They are all desperate for the tournament to go ahead and IPL bosses have discussed taking the tournament overseas.
South Africa hosted the IPL in 2009 because of security fears due to India’s elections.
The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) have also looked at staging the IPL in October-November, but only if the ICC postpones Australia’s T20 World Cup.
Cummins is not bowling at the moment although has received training programs from KKR.
He has been completing burpees challenges, running sessions, weights, push-ups and chin-ups to stay fit for his “mental sanity” as much as cricket.
“JL (coach Justin Langer) sends through the odd video message just gloating about the 16km run he’s done that day,” Cummins said.
“Davey Warner’s turned his house into a three-storey gym.
“We’d love that (T20 World Cup) to happen and in a perfect world and I could get really greedy I’d love the IPL to happen as well.”
Cummins has been touted as Australia’s next Test captain but said ideally he would get some practice leading New South Wales first.
“But I wouldn’t want to tread on anyone’s toes, especially someone like Nevy (NSW skipper Peter Nevill) who just won a Shield,” Cummins said.
sam.landsberger@news.com.au
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