Cummins says desire to play all Tests also reason behind decision to skip T20WC
Melbourne (PTI): Australia pace spearhead Pat Cummins says his injury-forced withdrawal from the T20 World Cup was also driven by a desire to be completely fit for the upcoming Test season in which he wants to play all the games.
The Test and ODI captain of his team was ruled out of the T20 World Cup as he failed to recover from a back injury and was replaced by Ben Dwarshuis.
Cummins has been dealing with the back injury since Australia's tour of the the West Indies last July and although he is feeling "really good" right now, he decided to skip the tournament starting February 7 after a scan.
"It was really unfortunate. I feel pretty good, just a minor setback and just ran out of time really. I'll rest up for a few weeks and go from there," Cummins was quoted as saying by the 'Australian Associated Press'.
"We knew after the (Adelaide) Test match we were going to need somewhere between four and eight weeks to let the bone settle right down before then building back up. Initially, we thought it might only be four weeks, because I was feeling really good, but just had a follow-up scan.
"They thought it probably needs another couple of weeks, so the timeline just became a bit too tight."
Australia have a jam-packed Test schedule starting August when they host Bangladesh for two Test matches in Darwin and Mackay, followed by a Test and ODI tour of South Africa in September.
The Aussies will then host New Zealand before touring India for a five-Test Border-Gavaskar series, followed by the pink-ball 150th anniversary Test against England at the MCG in March.
Next would be an away Ashes series, the ODI World Cup, and a possible World Test Championship final at Lord's in June.
"We thought the first half of the year was a pretty good time to be conservative with the amount of cricket that's coming up," the 32-year-old pacer said.
"We'll get it right, then hopefully that will mean you won't have to worry about it, and you can just go out and play all those Test matches.
'Whereas, if you're not careful with it now and it flares up, you're chasing your tail a bit," he added.
Cummins, however, hopes to be fit in time to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League starting March 26.
"We'll just be guided by my back. We'll have another scan in a few weeks, and if it's good, then we'll have a slow build-up," he said.
"T20s are a little bit easier to get up for (than Tests), that's why I was so close to getting up for this World Cup."
Australia didn't have the best of build up to the T20 World Cup as they whitewashed 0-3 in Pakistan but Cummins sounded optimistic about the team's chances.
"It wasn't our greatest few games (in Pakistan), but the guys are coming off a strong Big Bash, and a couple of guys coming back from injury for the World Cup," Cummins said.
"Morale is good. Chatting to a few of the boys from afar ... they know how big it is, they're desperate to get started and get into it."
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Terror threat: Security heightened near key religious, heritage sites in Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): Security was tightened across key religious and heritage sites in Delhi on Saturday, including areas around the Red Fort and parts of Chandni Chowk, following intelligence inputs suggesting a possible terror threat, an official said.
Security agencies issued an alert on a possible explosion threat near Red Fort, a major tourist destination and high-security zone, after Central intelligence agencies indicated that Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has allegedly kept prominent religious places in India on its target list.
Sources said specific inputs suggested that a temple in the Chandni Chowk area could be among the potential targets.
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While the intelligence inputs are being verified and assessed, security has been stepped up in and around sensitive religious places and crowded public areas, they added.
Intelligence agencies indicated that LeT could be attempting to carry out an Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-based attack. The alleged plan is reportedly linked to attempts by the terror group to avenge the February 6 blast at a mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, sources said.
Central agencies and Delhi Police units are maintaining close coordination, and surveillance has been intensified through CCTV monitoring, vehicle checks and deployment of additional personnel at vulnerable points. Bomb disposal squads, dog squads and quick reaction teams have also been placed on standby at strategic locations, they added.
The alert comes in the backdrop of the deadly car explosion near the historic Red Fort on November 10, 2025, which killed at least 13 people and injured more than 20 others. The blast occurred when a car loaded with explosives detonated near Gate No 1 of the Red Fort metro station, igniting multiple vehicles nearby and causing panic in the densely populated area.
Security agencies have urged people to remain vigilant and immediately inform police or emergency services about any suspicious objects or activity. However, officials said there is no cause for panic and that the measures are precautionary in nature.
Further intelligence gathering and verification of inputs are underway, an official said.
