5 Teams that can target Pat Cummins in IPL mini-auction 2024

Australia skipper Pat Cummins has put his name under the auction hammer ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) mini-auction. He recently led his side to their sixth ODI World Cup. Cummins was not part of the 2023 IPL as he backed out stating about the packed international schedule that included the Border Gavaskar Trophy, World Test Championship final 2023, The Ashes 2023, and the ODI World Cup 2023 as well. 

Keeping in mind that the 2024 T20 World Cup is scheduled in the West Indies and the USA in June next year, he has decided to put his name as it will make a good preparation ahead of the mega event next year. The right-arm pacer has been part of franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC). The bowling all-rounder in the year 2022 with KKR picked up 9 wickets in 7 games and also contributed 93 runs with the bat down the order. He also has the fastest fifty to his name which he scored against Mumbai Indians (MI). 

The IPL mini-auction is set to take place on December 19, in Dubai. All the 10 teams have retained and released the players on the retention window. In the article, we will be looking at the teams that would target Cummins to bolster their pace attack and have good batting options lower down the order as well. 

Here are the five teams that can target Pat Cummins in a mini-auction

5. Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad's (SRH) team includes several Indian fast bowlers, but they lack an international quick who can produce pace. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and T Natrajan are examples of pacers who rely on seam movement. They only have Marco Jensen and have had a difficult season, one of the reasons being a lack of a great pacer who can bat at the lower order. They can also be an excellent finisher lower down the order and can afford to drop an inexperienced Indian all-rounder.

4. Delhi Capitals 

Delhi Capitals (DC) do not have a good backup option for Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi. Both bowlers are injury prone and the team would love to bolster their pace attack by having Cummins on their side as he will also give the option to bat down the order. Cummins has represented the franchise back in 2017 when the name was Delhi Daredevils. Cummins's leadership experience in international cricket will help the side as well. 

3. Gujarat Titans 

Gujarat Titans (GT) has performed superbly since its inclusion in the IPL. The franchise won in 2022 and lost a thrilling final against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the previous edition of the tournament. The team has traded Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians (MI), and they have named Shubman Gill as their captain. The pace bowling department is looking weak after the departure of Pandya as only Mohammed Shami is there on the side, they have not retained Alzarri Joesph as well. Cummins with the experience he has will be a good addition to the side as in Ahmedabad the new ball swings under lights and if he can be added he will be a deadly duo with Shami. 

2. Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are the joint-most successful side in the IPL. The five-time IPL winners will be in a race to sign Pat Cummins as they do not have any experienced overseas bowler in their side. The team has released Sisanda Magala and they do not have any backup option for Matheesha Pathirana. The addition of Cummins would cover lower-order batting problems, as the right-hander is capable of producing explosive finishing touches with the bat at the end of the innings. 

1. Kolkata Knight Riders 

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has released the most number of players from their squad. They have released all their overseas pacers. Cummins has been a key member of the franchise. KKR struggled lack of pace-bowling experience in the 2023 season and his addition would improve their pace attack while also bringing depth to a batting order that frequently featured men hitting one position higher than optimal. The Aussie skipper also has prior experience working in the KKR setup.