Allan Border warns Pat Cummins on upcoming 'acid' test against India and England

Pat Cummins will lead Australia against India [Source: Associated Press]

Former Australian skipper, Allan Border has showered praise on Pat Cummins' captaincy, but warns him that a stern test awaits the Aussie side in the form of India and England.

Cummins was appointed the Test skipper following Tim Paine's resignation ahead of the 2021-22 Ashes series. So far, Cummins has enjoyed a dream run in Tests, winning the Ashes comfortably, beating Pakistan in Pakistan, levelling the series against Sri Lanka and winning the home season against West Indies and South Africa.

However, Border believes that the real 'acid' test of Cummins' captaincy will be when the Aussie side tours India and England this year. Australia have not won a Test series in India since 2004, and Border reckons a tough few months awaits the Aussie skipper.

"That is going to be the acid test for him and the team," Border told ABC Sport.

"The next 12 months is the real test for that side and Pat's captaincy in particular because India is just about the last frontier for the Australian cricket team."

"We haven't won there very often. It's a hard place to play and a hard place to win and England is the same."

Border also stated that he had reservations about appointing Cummins as the new leader for Australia, stating that it could affect his bowling. But Border has been impressed with the 29-year-old.

"I was not as keen to see a fast bowler [appointed captain], not necessarily the individual but more just the fact that he's our number-one fast bowler. But he's proved so many people wrong that and he's handled that so well."

The Australia tour of India starts from February 9, with the first Test set to take place in Nagpur.

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