Brave Pat Cummins’ huge gamble in World Cup masterstroke

Everything Pat Cummins touched turned to gold as the Australian captain left global cricket commentators lost for words.

Australia has won its sixth Cricket World Cup after an upset six-wicket win over India at Narendra Modi Stadium.

Travis Head (137) and Marnus Labuschagne (58*) put together the second-highest partnership (192) in World Cup finals to lead Australia to victory.

Aussie skipper Pat Cummins was not only the pick of the bowlers, but made a number of gutsy calls as captain, which proved crucial to his country’s World Cup success.

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There was no shortage of pressure on Pat Cummins as he entered his first World Cup as skipper.

Not only because of what was required of him with the ball, but more importantly, how he’d fare leading the Australian side.

Prior to the World Cup, Cummins had captained Australia in just four one-day international matches.

But you wouldn’t have known it this tournament, with Cummins’ captaincy a huge reason for the Aussies’ success in the World Cup.

He saved his best performance for the final during Australia’s 50 overs in the field, willing to cycle through his bowlers at a high rate and set attacking fields despite India’s early dominance with the bat.

This was despite what at the time was a head-scratching, but ultimately brave decision to bowl first after winning the toss. It ended up being a masterstroke.

“We were tossing up (what to do) but today we thought that it (the pitch) might get a bit easier to play,” Cummins said post-match.

The captaincy & personal performance of @patcummins30 today has been as good as it gets .. Brave decision at the toss .. tactically he has never let #India settle & has bowled beautifully .. #CWC23Final

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 19, 2023

Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson noted in commentary after Cummins put himself into the attack for a second spell and quickly dismissed Virat Kohli, that the Aussie skipper has pulled the right rein more often than not.

“What a time to step up for his country, especially as skipper. To get Virat Kohli out for just the second time, and what a time to do it,” Watson said in commentary.

“Cummins has really done such a brilliant job as leader of the Australian team throughout this World Cup.

“As much pressure as you can come under as a captain. He’s been cool, calm and collected. He knew the time he had to really put his hand up as a leader, as a bowler.

“The way he’s used his bowlers, you see him change up the bowlers in the previous ten overs or so to try and find a wicket.

“He hasn’t done too much wrong has Pat Cummins.”

Despite Cummins success as Test captain, former Indian coach Ravi Shastri says the fast bowler has proven the doubters wrong this tournament.

“As a bowling captain, there are people around the world who have an X next to captains who are fast bowlers. They don’t think they can compartmentalise enough between deliveries, between overs and still be tactically sharp,” Shastri said.

Pat Cummins’ captaincy throughout the tournament was outstanding. (Photo by Sajjad Hussain – AFP)

“He hasn’t captained a lot (of ODIs) coming into this tournament — less than a handful of games — but you can see the group, the tactical accumulation of knowledge and I’m sure some help from a number of senior players out on the field.

“Pat Cummins is calm. He’s got that composure that calmness and temperament needed for the job. Someone who isn’t over reactive.”

Not only was Cummins very good tactically, he led by example with ball in hand as well.

He chose to often bowl short of a length which was an effective ploy, dismissing both Kohli and Shreyas Iyer in this manner.

“Patty Cummins today, he knew how important the short balls have been into this wicket. A little bit of pace and the batter not knowing whether the ball will skid on,” Watson said.

“Just that extra bit of bounce was key. Virat Kohli was trying to get on top of it and run it down to third man, but it just kept coming into him. It’s that angle Pat Cummins gets when he bowls over the wicket.”

Originally published as Brave Pat Cummins’ huge gamble in World Cup masterstroke