Harbhajan Singh has explained what makes Pat Cummins a special captain ahead of the World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa, which will begin on June 11 at Lord’s. Cummins is aiming to secure his second WTC title as the Aussies skipper, having also guided them to the ODI World Cup and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier in the year.
Ahead of the final, JioStar expert Harbhajan praised the pacer and said he is one of those leaders who brings the team together. The former spinner also said that Cummins is a proven-match winner who has a great command in the dressing room.
WTC Final: Weather report | FAQs
“Cummins is one of those leaders who brings everyone together. More importantly, he’s a proven match-winner with great command in the dressing room. When your team respects and rallies behind you, you win more matches. That’s what makes him a very special captain for Australia,” said Harbhajan.
Aakash Chopra, who was also part of the discussion, said that Cummins will be the biggest threat in the match for South Africa due to his all-round skills.
“Pat Cummins is the biggest threat. His leadership, his bowling when there is a partnership, his batting lower down the order—he contributes across departments. He leads from the front and always keeps the opposition under pressure,” said Chopra.
‘Australia will come prepared’
Harbhajan also said that Australia will come prepared for the contest against the Proteas with experience in recent times playing in England. The former spinner feels that the Aussies are masters in handling pressure in big matches.
“Australia will come prepared. They’ve played a lot of cricket in England—Ashes, the last WTC Final—and that experience will count. They understand these conditions better than South Africa. Plus, they’re a champion side. The difference lies in how you handle pressure during big matches, and Aussies are masters at that. That’s why they’ve won more trophies than anyone else,” said Harbhajan.
Catch Day 1 of the Ultimate Test — Australia vs South Africa in the ICC WTC Final, tomorrow at 3:00 PM, live and exclusive on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network