Australia captain Pat Cummins has suggested his involvement in IPL 2027 is not guaranteed, because the national side faces a crowded run of fixtures ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The schedule ahead
Australia have demanding away tours coming up, leading into the World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, where they will try to retain their title. Cummins accepted that his calendar may have to be adjusted, particularly given the need to recover between the India series in early 2027 and the Ashes later in the year.
Speaking to The Age, he said something has to give at some point next year, and it will not be Test cricket or the World Cup. He plans to decide closer to the time, working with his franchise, and does not want to lock anything in after a couple of injuries. If he plays the entire India series, he added, he would probably need a rest before the Ashes.
Managing the fast bowlers
Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have all had injury concerns recently, prompting talk of rotation. Cummins said Australia are open-minded and realistic that more than three quicks will be needed, with Scott Boland continuing as an important option in the Test team. He also indicated bowlers might be rested mid-series if that helps prepare for big assignments such as the Ashes.
Recovery and outlook
Cummins has recovered from a lumbar stress issue that kept him out of parts of the 2025–26 Ashes and the 2026 T20 World Cup. He said he has played one Test in the last 12 months and feels fresher than some colleagues. He expects a big push over the next 18 months, which he hopes will prove rewarding.
Australia’s Test calendar resumes with a two-match series against Bangladesh in August.
