NEW DELHI: Pat Cummins, the captain of the Australian cricket team and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), recently addressed a viral video that showcased his dance moves to a Bollywood tune.
In a lighthearted manner, Cummins revealed that it was his sister who had coerced him into attending a dance class, and as a result, she is now "in the bad books".
Throughout the IPL 2024 season, Cummins demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, guiding SRH to the finals, where they ultimately succumbed to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 26.
Under his captaincy, the Orange Army underwent a remarkable transformation, rising from the lower half of the points table to become a formidable force. Cummins, along with openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, spearheaded a highly aggressive brand of cricket that propelled the team's success.
The viral video of Cummins grooving to Bollywood music caught the attention of fans on social media platforms. "Many fans joked if he was ready to conquer the world of dancing after winning multiple trophies in cricket as a captain."
Cummins' dance moves sparked a wave of humorous comments, with fans speculating about his potential to dominate the dance floor after his numerous achievements as a cricket captain.
Speaking about the video in an interview with ESPNCricinfo's The Cricket Monthly, Cummins said, "My sister stitched me up. She dragged me to a Bollywood dancing class, and then posted a video (chuckles). So, yeah, she is in the bad books!"
"But no, it has been great (coming to India). I have been coming here for a long time. I probably embrace it (the culture) a bit more than I used to. That is always the joy of playing IPL - you play alongside guys who have lived here their whole lives, so I get their suggestions on where to go out for dinner or what places to go and see. It has been a thrill taking my family around this time in particular. It was the first time that they came over," he added.
Cummins expressed his belief that immersing oneself in the local culture while on international tours is a significant aspect of a player's experience.
"Realistically, if you want to be a professional cricketer, especially an international cricketer, you are going to spend more time away than you are at home. So your options are: either stay in your room and wait for time to go past, or you get on the front foot and enjoy the time [going out] there. With the Aussie team, you will see us go out for dinners, go and play golf, and bring our families along. And it is the same over here in India [during the IPL]: bring families along, and kind of in between all the stress of the games and the playing and the travel, try and create some good family memories," said Cummins.
Cummins discussed the time required to establish trust with his team as a captain. He mentioned that he prefers not to dictate how his players should behave.
"I was really strong [acknowledging that] we have got a group of really talented individuals and I just want them to be able to be themselves and feel like they are welcome, and hopefully we all feel some ownership in that environment and we try and foster that for new guys that come in. What you are seeing is not deliberate, you know... how do I say it, persona. It is the boys just being themselves," said Cummins.
Cummins expressed his belief that allowing individuals to flourish and granting them liberty elicits their finest qualities and performance.
"It also makes it a more enjoyable, fun environment. So there is a human-being element, but there is also a performance element, where that is where you get the best results," he added.
Cummins is set to participate in the current edition of the ICC T20 World Cup. The tournament, which commenced on June 1, is being hosted jointly by West Indies and USA, and will conclude on June 29.
Australia find itself in Group B, where they will face their traditional rivals England, as well as Oman, Scotland, and Namibia. Cummins, known for his fast bowling prowess, will be a key player for the Australian side as they navigate through the group stage and aim to secure a spot in the knockout rounds.
(With ANI inputs)
