Pat Cummins finally proves his $3.1m worth after underwhelming IPL campaign

He was brutally mocked during the tournament, but Australian paceman Pat Cummins has finally shown why he’s worth $3.1m.

Pat Cummins in the IPL.

After a cluster of poor performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Australian paceman Pat Cummins has finally shown why he’s worth $3.1 million.

Cummins claimed 4/34 during the Kolkata Knight Riders’ victory over the Rajasthan Royals in Dubai on Sunday evening, his best-ever figures in the IPL.

The 27-year-old’s performance was all the more impressive considering he conceded 19 runs from his first five deliveries.

Cummins becomes fifth bowler to claim four or more wickets in the powerplay of an IPL match, a feat which has not been achieved since 2016.

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After removing English powerhouse Ben Stokes for 18, Cummins dismissed Australian teammate Steve Smith the same over for four.

Smith managed to chop a short-pitched delivery back onto his stumps in the third over to leave Rajasthan reeling at 3/32. It’s the second time in the tournament Cummins has dismissed Smith.

Pat Cummins dismissing Steve Smith on Sunday.

Cummins finishes the 2020 IPL group stage with 12 wickets in 14 matches, boasting a bowling average of 34.08.

The New South Wales bowler could only muster three wickets in his first 10 games of the T20 tournament as he struggled massively after inking a lucrative deal. Fortunately, however, he rediscovered his mojo in time for the finals series.

“Earlier I put a lot of pressure on myself after that first game when I didn’t bowl well. The longer the tournament has gone I have bowled better and better,” Cummins said.

“The great thing about IPL is there are so many other games on and so many great bowlers on display so there is a lot to learn from.”

Kolkata skipper Eoin Morgan scored 68 as the Knight Riders knocked the Royals out of the IPL with a comfortable 60-run victory.

After registering their seventh win of the delayed season, Kolkata end the league phase with a chance of reaching the play-offs, while Royals are set to finish bottom of the eight-team table.

Morgan hit his first half-century of the campaign to propel Kolkata to 7/191 and the Royals managed just 9/131 from their 20 overs in response.

Pat Cummins has proved his price today! #IPL2020

— Yash Lahoti (@YvLahoti) November 1, 2020

All through the tournament, people trolled him for his huge price tag but the Aussie speedster has come to the party in the most important game. Pat Cummins, fiery.

— Siddarth Srinivas (@sidhuwrites) November 1, 2020

4 wickets on the biggest night of the tournament yet for the team. All those crores redeemed by Cummins 🙏🏼

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) November 1, 2020

READ MORE: Aussie $2.2m flop’s horror tournament

Kolkata, who moved to fourth spot and improved their net run-rate with a big win, now await their finals fate, which depends on the results of the last two league matches in the coming days.

If Kolkata don’t qualify, Cummins will have made approximately AU$9935 for each delivery he bowled in the six-week competition.

“I don’t think we could have done anything more today. So whatever happens from here is up to the gods,” Morgan said.

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell played a crucial cameo of 25 off 11 balls. Meanwhile, fast bowler Shivam Mavi and spinner Varun Chakravarthy took two wickets each.

— with AFP