WTC title, ODI World Cup, Ashes retention, 20.50 crore IPL deal: A year to remember for Pat Cummins

Once again, it's that time of year when we embrace the events of the previous twelve months and look forward to the one that lies ahead. 2023 may have been another forgettable year for many, or it may have been extraordinary for some. This topic of discussion falls within the latter category. But given what he accomplished in 2023, he deserves to be in a different league altogether. A Pat Cummins' class of brilliance and achievements, what do you say?

3 things you need to know

• Pat Cummins is the captain of the Australia men's cricket team
• Under Cummins' captaincy, Australia won the WTC 2023 final and the ICC ODI World Cup 2023
• Pat Cummins crossed the Rs. 20 crore mark in IPL 2024 Auctions

Also Read | WTC Points Table 2023-25: India suffer steep fall

Beginning

Pat Cummins was given the helm of the Australian squad a couple of years ago. It was Tim Paine's resignation that brought Cummins to the leadership role in Tests. At first, it seemed like an interim role but as time passed, he was able to cement his position as the first-choice captain. Aside from the T20 format, Cummins was the captain of Australia in all formats.

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Achievements

Under Cummins' captaincy, Australia won the Test series in Pakistan, which turned out to be the pass to the WTC 2023 final. In 2023, Pat Cummins suffered a setback during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but the defeat did not affect their position in the WTC final, where they eventually conquered their rivals India and lifted the eminent Test maze.

The next big Test for him came in the form of the Ashes tour, where as well he played a significant part in attaining a 2-0 lead in the series but England came up with the goods to level the score. Nevertheless, the draw was enough for the Aussies to retain the Ashes.

If the 3 quarters of the year were exceptional, the 4th one brought further happiness and more glory.

After enduring a disastrous start in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, Australia under Pat Cummins scripted a comeback, and it was a return of extreme proportions. The Pat Cummins' side won 9 matches in a row to attain a record-extending 6th World Cup title.

Also Read | PAK's 'iconic' fielding gifts AUS 5 runs in 1 ball

IPL Auction glory and completion of 250 Test wickets

A month after the World Cup win, Pat Cummins' name made a resounding vibrance in the IPL 2024 Auctions. He became the first to breach the Rs. 20 crore mark in the history of IPL auctions. The player was picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad at a whopping price of Rs. 20.50 crore.

Receiving a ground-breaking IPL contract signaled a sweet end to a fabulous year, but Cummins wasn't done just yet. Before the end of the year, Pat Cummins' Australia had comprehensively beaten Pakistan in two of the three Tests that have taken place. Plus, he has completed 250 wickets in Test cricket.

With all under his belt, Pat Cummins may even afford to relax and call it a career, but for the unaware, he is just 30 years old, which corresponds to the assertion that he is going to grace the game for many years to come. Who knows while 2023 was a superb year for him but as still a sizeable part of his career left, maybe his best years are ahead of him.