Australia and Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins is currently undecided about his participation in the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Recent changes in IPL regulations, introduced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), have added some complexities for foreign players, making it a significant decision for international stars like Cummins.

According to the new rules, if a player pulls out after being picked in the auction, they will be banned from the IPL for the next two seasons. Additionally, if a player does not register for the mega-auction, they won’t be eligible for the mini-auctions held annually. In another key change, foreign players will no longer earn more than Indian cricketers starting with the next season.

This rule revision came after Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad made substantial bids for Australian stars Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins last year, paying INR 24.75 crore and INR 20.5 crore, respectively. The BCCI has since adjusted its policies to prioritize Indian talent, levelling the playing field in terms of salaries.

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While Hyderabad is keen to retain Cummins as their captain, he has not yet committed to playing in the IPL. He emphasized that his top priority is representing Australia in Test cricket, and decisions regarding his availability for the IPL will be based on that. Cummins, who has never withdrawn from an IPL season after the auction, acknowledged that the new rules add another layer of consideration.

“I’ll figure out what this season looks like soon. The new rules won’t affect me too much as I’ve never pulled out after the auction, but it’s definitely something to think about,” Pat Cummins told The Sydney Morning Herald.

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He reiterated that playing for Australia, especially in Test matches, remains his number one priority. “The calendar keeps getting busier, and I’m not getting any younger, so these are important things to weigh. But for me, Test cricket is my primary focus,” he added.

Pat Cummins, who took a break after the T20 World Cup, will return to action for Australia in the upcoming five-match Test series against India, starting November 22. He is also expected to feature for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield ahead of the series.