BGT 2023: Pat Cummins returns home due to personal reasons

image-lec9d57cCummins has returned home [Associated Press]

Australian skipper, Pat Cummins has flown home due to  personal reasons following their 6-wicket loss against India in the Delhi Test match on Sunday.

Cummins will return to Sydney for a few days, and will join the squad ahead of the third Test, slated to begin on March 1 in Indore.

With the second Test match getting over inside two days, Australia have nine-days to prepare themselves for the next challenge, having already been 2-0 down in the four-match series.

Having dominated India for the first two days, Australia self-destructed and collapsed for a paltry 113, giving a 115 run target for the home team to chase. Despite an early hiccup, India manage well and won the game rather comfortably.

Cummins, the lone pacer for his side, did not bowl in the second innings, as the spinners were effective in the first innings.

In case the 29-year-old misses the third Test, Steve Smith could be in charge of the Australian side. Smith has marshalled Australia on two occasions in Cummins' absence. The first instance took place during the 2021-22 Ashes series, when Cummins came in close contact with a Covid-19 patient, the second time he led Australia against the visiting West Indies side last year, when the pace bowler injured his quad.

With a lengthy break between the two Tests, Australia have a lot to think about. David Warner's injury is a big issue for them. Cameron Green is still not fully fit to bowl, but he still has time to recover.