Australian opener David Warner reckons Pat Cummins bowled his best spell in the final against India after they registered a six-wicket victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday. Cummins registered impressive figures of 2-34 in the all-important final as he brought his best when it mattered the most.
In fact, the Australian captain had a mundane league stage but he was able to turn the tables in the knockout matches. Cummins accounted for in-form Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli in his fine spell. While Cummins had Iyer caught behind to Josh Inglis, Kohli played on to the stumps.
Cummins scalped 15 wickets in 11 matches of the World Cup 2023 at an average of 34.33 and an economy rate of 5.75. Furthermore, Cummins was brilliant in his field placements and bowling changes after he decided to field first.
“He has been so calm the whole time. He was criticised in England for his field placements, which were defensive and all that. He copped it again when we got off to a slow start. It’s not fair. The captain is leading the ship, but as a whole unit, we take responsibility ourselves,” Warner was quoted as saying in an interview with AB de Villiers.
Meanwhile, Cummins surprised one and all after he decided to bowl first but he was able to get the best out of his players when it mattered the most.
“Yesterday was a testament to the way we went about it. As a captain, to be brave and make a decision was phenomenal. Yesterday, the way he bowled was unbelievable. That was his best spell in the whole tournament. Great players stand up when it’s time to deliver and yesterday, he truly did that,” he added.
Moreover, Cummins also returned with impressive figures of 3-51 in the semifinal against South Africa.
Australia will face India in the first T20I on Thursday.