SYDNEY: Australian Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins has decided to skip the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in order to focus on his national duties amid a hectic schedule next year. 

Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, the fast bowler announced that he would miss next year’s IPL to take some rest before the all-important Ashes series and the upcoming One-day World Cup staged in India.

“I’ve made the difficult decision to miss next year’s IPL,”  said Cummins in his tweet.

“The international schedule is packed with Tests and ODIs for the next 12 months, so will take some rest ahead of an Ashes series and World Cup.”

At the IPL auction earlier this year, Cummins was bought by the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a staggering 72.5 million Indian rupees.

In this year’s edition of the cash-riched league, he grabbed seven wickets in five matches and also made headlines with the bat for scoring the joint-fastest half-century in IPL history. His powerful knock of 50 off 14 against Mumbai Indians equalled the record of KL Rahul.

The right-arm pacer will lead Australia in the Ashes that commences in June next year, while the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 scheduled to take place in October and November.

Australia also has a solid chance of appearing in the next year’s World Test Championship final, as the side team presently leads the standings.

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