September 2, 2025: Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI and T20I series against India due to a lower back injury, Cricket Australia confirmed on Tuesday. The fast bowler’s withdrawal comes as a significant blow to the team ahead of its white-ball fixtures.
Cummins, 32, was scheduled to lead Australia in the three-match ODI series against India starting October 19 in Perth, followed by a T20I series against New Zealand. However, scans revealed a lumbar bone stress injury, prompting his absence from the upcoming fixtures. Officials said the injury is a recurrence of a previous back issue that has troubled the pace spearhead in recent years.
“Pat’s fitness is our priority, and we aim to have him fully recovered in time for the Ashes series later this year,” said Cricket Australia chairman George Bailey. The selectors remain optimistic that Cummins will regain full fitness in time for the Ashes opener in Perth on November 21, despite missing lead-in matches.
The absence of Cummins is expected to prompt adjustments in Australia’s bowling attack. Scott Boland is likely to play a bigger role in the ODIs, while leadership duties may temporarily shift to senior players such as Steve Smith if required. The team management is also exploring bowler rotation strategies to manage workload during the upcoming fixtures.
Adding to the reshuffle, fast bowler Mitchell Starc recently announced his retirement from T20 International cricket, choosing to focus on prolonging his career in Tests and ODIs. This development further reshapes Australia’s bowling lineup as the team prepares for a challenging Ashes series against England.
Cummins’ injury represents a key challenge for Australia, but the management remains confident that the team can adapt. Monitoring of his recovery is ongoing, with a focus on ensuring he is match-ready for the high-stakes Test series later this year.
