Pat Cummins went from "most overpaid IPL player" to "champion captain" in the space of three seasons. His IPL journey has been a masterclass in proving doubters wrong.
When KKR paid ₹15.5 crore for Cummins in 2020, cricket Twitter lost its mind. A fast bowler? In the IPL? For THAT much? The early returns weren't great — his economy was high, and he looked like a luxury pick.
Everything changed when SRH gave him the captaincy. Cummins the captain is a different beast. He sets aggressive fields, bowls the crucial overs himself, and has an incredible ability to read match situations. Under his leadership, SRH's aggressive batting revolution began.
Cummins' death bowling has improved dramatically. His yorker, once considered inconsistent, is now one of the most reliable in the IPL. His T20 wicket count continues to grow, and his new-ball spells regularly create early breakthroughs.
Don't forget — Cummins can bat. His rapid 15-ball 30s in the lower order have won games for every team he's played for. That all-round value at 8 or 9 is worth more than his bowling stats alone suggest.
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