Sport Trading 
Predictions 
Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has shared his thoughts on India playing all their Champions Trophy games in Dubai. Cummins’ comments came on Monday (February 24), during his interaction with Yahoo Sport Australia on various things related to Australian cricket and the Champions Trophy.
Notably, the International Cricket Council broke the impasse between India and Pakistan regarding the playing venues for the Champions Trophy. Due to political tensions between Asian neighbors, India refused to play in Pakistan. As a result, the hosts also opted for a strict stance, claiming they visited India for playing the 2023 World Cup, and their neighbors should also do the same.
However, ICC brokered an agreement between both countries, which will see India and Pakistan playing the ICC events at neutral venues whenever their neighbor serves as the host. Notably, India are co-hosting 2026 T20 World Cup along with Sri Lanka, which will witness Pakistan playing in the Island country.
Pat Cummins feels India certainly have an advantage, playing on the same ground with a fine knowledge of how the surface will play out in all phases of the game. He said:
“I think it’s good in that the tournament can go on, but obviously it does give them (India) a huge advantage playing on the same ground. They already look very strong and they’ve got that obvious benefit of playing all their games there.”
India have qualified for the semifinal, after beating Pakistan and Bangladesh in their first two games of the tournament. Meanwhile, New Zealand became the second side to enter the top four from the same group, as Pakistan and Bangladesh bowed out of the tournament.
India’s final group stage clash takes place against Black Caps on Sunday (March 2).
Pat Cummins will make competitive return in IPL 2025
Pat Cummins played a key role in helping Australia win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India with a 3-1 scoreline. He was the finest bowler for Australia with 25 wickets and also contributed 159 runs with the bat. However, after the completion of the series, it was revealed that Cummins went through ankle issues during the series, which forced him to take a break.
Moreover, Pat Cummins and his wife welcomed their second child in February, which also resulted in him opting out of the Champions Trophy.
In a recent interaction with cricket.com.au, Cummins revealed that he is recovering well and is targeting return to cricket in IPL 2025. Notably, he will lead the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who were the runner-up in the last season.
“It’s been an amazing month or so, just focusing entirely on family and not having to worry about training or an upcoming tour. Being completely present has been really special,” Cummins told cricket.com.au.
“That’s the goal—start bowling in the next week or so, build up gradually, and be ready for IPL,” he added.
