Former India player turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has added that Pat Cummins’ absence will be a huge loss to Australia in the 2025 Champions Trophy as a captain than as a bowler as well. He also added that the speedster has become a great leader lately. The 2025 Champions Trophy will take place in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 onwards. Australia faced a few blows ahead of the tournament, with Cummins and Josh Hazlewood getting ruled out due to injuries and Marcus Stoinis announcing his retirement from ODIs as well.

While talking about Australia’s 2025 Champions Trophy prospects on Star Sports, Manjrekar said, “It’s a big loss and I would say it’s a bigger captaincy loss. You saw the captaincy quality that he has. He has become a really good captain tactically. The old Australian aggression, the meanness with which they played, has returned. So Australia will miss the captain Pat Cummins. They have many capable bowlers in the reserves. Absolute champion and bats at a very crucial position. A player who keeps cricket very simple. So if you see their batting lineup and their current form, Travis Head is their No. 1 batter.”

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However, Sanjay Manjrekar also picked Australia as one of the favourites for the 2025 Champions Trophy as well.

“The Australian team under Pat Cummins that we are seeing is back to that champion Australian side. You don’t see any weakness in their team. So I expect Australia to be a strong contender, if not the best contender to win. I see them being the No. 1 team. The team that could challenge them is maybe England and after that South Africa. However, in this whole Champions Trophy that has many champion teams, Australia looks the best team,” Sanjay Manjrekar concluded.