Australia’s Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins has taken a big call by skipping the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 to focus on his fitness for their very busy 18-month schedule starting in August. His main aim is to stay fit for all the Test matches and the huge 2027 season ahead.
Pat Cummins skips T20 World Cup 2026 to protect fitness; Dwarshuis is named replacement
After Cummins decided not to play in the T20 World Cup 2026 in Sri Lanka and India, the in-form left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis has been added to the Australian squad as his replacement.
Cummins has been struggling with a back injury since Australia’s tour of the West Indies last July. Since then, he has played only one match, the Ashes-deciding Test win in Adelaide. After Australia retained the Ashes, Australia rested Cummins, and he missed the last two tests of the summer.
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The Australian fast bowler revealed that his latest scan suggested he avoid any risk to his long-term health, especially as he had back problems earlier in his career. He was advised to rest for another couple of weeks, forcing him to skip the T20 World Cup 2026.
IPL 2026 return still on Pat Cummins’ radar
Even so, Cummins is hoping to return in the IPL 2026. As Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain, he is aiming to lead the team when the tournament starts on March 26.
Cummins was quoted as saying by AAP: “We’ll just be guided by my back. We’ll have another scan in a few weeks, and if it’s good, then we’ll have a slow build-up. T20s are a little bit easier to get up for (than tests); that’s why I was so close to getting up for this World Cup.”
Jason Gillespie questions Pat Cummins’ recovery timeline
Following the announcement, former Australian fast bowler and coach Jason Gillespie sharply criticised Pat Cummins’ decision to skip the T20 World Cup in favour of a return to the IPL.
Gillespie questioned the timing of Cummins’ recovery. However, the former Australian coach has made it clear that the skipper remains loyal and committed to Australian cricket, but pointed out the irony of missing a World Cup but still being confident of turning up for the IPL 2026.
He strongly mentioned that Cummins should have no trouble being ready for the IPL 2026, where he will be leading the SRH in India, adding fuel to the debate over his bold call.
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Jason Gillespie posted, X: “He will be fit for IPL. Please do not get me wrong—Pat Cummins is fully committed to playing for Australia. The Adelaide Test, imo, has set him back significantly in his recovery from his back injury. He will be fit for IPL—there is no denying that, to be fair.”
He will be fit for IPL.#reality https://t.co/dT5Ey1adsq
— Jason Gillespie (@dizzy259) February 3, 2026
Please do not get me wrong- Pat Cummins is fully committed to playing for Australia.
The Adelaide Test, imo, has set him
back significantly in his recovery from his back injury.
He will be fit for IPL- there is no denying that to be fair.@BowlingCartel @stillnotoutpod— Jason Gillespie (@dizzy259) February 3, 2026
Australia’s busiest calendars ever
The Australia National Cricket Team is staring at one of their busiest cricket calendars ever in 2026-27. This will start in August with a home test series against Bangladesh in Darwin and Mackay. Soon after, Australia heads to South Africa in September for a Test and ODI series.
The team then returns home to face New Zealand in four tests before spending most of 2027 on the road. Australia will tour India for a massive five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, and then, they will host England for the pink-ball 150th anniversary Test at the MCG in March.
Following the historic game, the Australian stars will tour England for the Ashes series, then South Africa for the ODI World Cup 2027, and could also feature in the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s in June.