'They're humans, not robots': Cummins backs WC-winning players amid T20I losses in India

Pat Cummins led Australia had a memorable ODI World Cup 2023 campaign as the Kangaroos continued their dominance in ICC tournaments. Australia defeated India by six wickets in the CWC 2023 final and won their sixth 50-over World Cup trophy. The Aussies were able to chase down 241 runs against a ruthless Indian pace attack as it was batter Travis Head who became the architect of the victory with a knock of 137 runs. 

3 things you need to know 

• Many players from Australia's World Cup-winning squad stayed back to play the five-match T20I series against India
• Travis Head and Australia's highest wicket-taker in the tournament Adam Zampa are among those players 
• Captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, Marnus Labuschagne and many other players flew back to Australia after then final

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Pat Cummins backs CWC 2023 players return to home in between of IND vs AUS T20I series 

Team India took perfect revenge for its loss in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia and currently leads the five-match series by 2-0. Big names from Australia's ODI World Cup 2023 winning squad such as Steve Smith, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, and Sean Abbott were part of the first two games. 

However, just ahead of the third T20I match, Cricket Australia announced that six players Smith, Zampa, Stoinis, Abbott, Maxwell, and Inglis will return home. Adam Zampa and Steve Smith have already returned back to Australia ahead of the third T20I match whereas the other four players will head back home after the match. 

Australian captain Pat Cummins while posing with the ODI World Cup 2023 trophy was asked about the same. Replying to the questions Cummins stated that the players are not robots and there are still many bilateral series lined up for Australia in the future. Pat Cummins said as quoted by Fox Sports: 

I don't (begrudge them). It's been a pretty busy few months. These are still games for Australia and it's great that these tours do provide opportunities for some of the younger guys or guys who might not be in the first XI. I think these are important tours and you can get a lot out of them. But they're humans. They're not robots. Putting everything into a World Cup and then playing a few days later, I don't begrudge them. 

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Australia to face Pakistan challenge at home 

After the IND vs AUS T20I series, Australia is scheduled to play against Pakistan in a three-match Test series starting on December 14. The series will be a part of the World Test Championship 2023-2025 and both teams will aim to win the series to boost their rankings in the WTC points table.