BGT 2024/25: Pat Cummins focused on Perth Test despite IPL mega auction, dismisses 'distraction' talks

Australia skipper Pat Cummins has dismissed talks of distraction due to the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) mega auction as his side prepares for the opening contest of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Speaking on Thursday (Nov 21), Cummins reckons the auctions won’t be a distraction for his side which will coincide with the Test match on Sunday and Monday. According to him, plenty of Australian players have the experience of going under the hammer and won’t find it difficult to cope during the national duties.

Cummins dismisses talks of distraction

"Yeah, I think he is there in the auction. I don't think so (it will be a distraction). Dan has flown over there, but he has been here for the whole prep. Done all the meetings, done all the chats, watching it. We came to know that anyway," Cummins told the press in Perth on the eve of the first Test.

Australian players like Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis and others part of the Perth Test will be on the auction table on Sunday and Monday in the IPL auctions. The mega bidding event will take place in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah with host of Indian names also in the mix. Alongside Australian players, Indian names like KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Mohammed Siraj will also test their luck in the auction while in Perth.

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Australia look to end their BGT drought

Not since the 2014-15 BGT series, have the Aussie lifted the bilateral tournament as they look to end the drought. With India wounded after defeat to New Zealand in home series, Aussies have a golden opportunity to claim the series win in their own backyard. Pat Cummins’s side will hand a debut to Queensland’s Nathan McSweeney who is set to become the first Australia batter in 47 years to open the innings on debut.