Last Update: February 24, 2023, 11:27 IST
Pat Cummins left India after the second test. (AP Photo)
Pat Cummins will stay at home with his mother who is in palliative care
Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins will be at home with his mother who is in palliative care. In his absence, vice-captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy for the third Test to be played in Indore from March 1.
Cummins left for Sydney after the conclusion of the Second Test in Delhi to deal with a serious health concern in his family and it was learned that it was his mother who had taken ill.
Cummins said that he will not return to the team India living with his mother who is “ill and in palliative care”.
Cummins said, “I have decided not to return to India at this time.” Cricket Australia and my friends. thanks for understanding.”
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Meanwhile, Smith had flown to Dubai after the second Test to spend some time with his wife Dani. He returned to join the Australia team on Thursday and then Cummins was reported not to return for the Indore Test.
The rest of the Australian team was informed about the development on Friday morning as they are in Delhi to continue their training at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Smith led Australia for 34 Tests between 2014 and 2018, before being dropped as captain. The ball-tampering scandal of 2018 resulted in him losing the Tim Paine role before going to Cummins.
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This will be the third time Smith will lead Australia in Test cricket since being appointed vice-captain in 2021. India tour.
Australia are aiming to level the four-match series after losing the first two Tests in Nagpur and Delhi. Both competitions ended within three days and India retained the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
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