ODI World Cup: Australia captain Pat Cummins has indicated that he could sit out IPL 2027 as he looks to manage his workload during what promises to be an intense period for Australian cricket.
Australia are scheduled for a four-Test tour of India at the start of the year before taking part in the 150th anniversary Test against England in Melbourne. The team will then head into a demanding Ashes campaign, followed by the ODI World Cup in southern Africa later in the year.
Speaking to Australian daily 'The Age', Cummins said Australia's packed schedule next year may force him to make difficult choices, with Test cricket and the ODI World Cup remaining his top priorities and no final decision has been made regarding his availability for the tournament and that discussions with the franchise will take place closer to the event.
"Something has got to give at some stage next year, and it's not going to be test matches or an ODI World Cup," Cummins said. "I will make a call a lot closer and work with the franchise to see what makes sense. Things can change. I've had a couple of injuries pop up, so I don't really want to lock in anything," he added.
The fast bowler stressed that representing Australia in Test cricket and the 50-over World Cup would take precedence over franchise commitments.
"The priorities for me are always the Test matches and that ODI World Cup. I dare say if I play all of India, I need some sort of break before a pretty gruelling Ashes series," Cummins explained.
Cummins has previously dealt with injury concerns, including a back issue that affected parts of his international schedule. The Australian skipper also suggested that workload management could extend to other senior quicks, including Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, during parts of Australia's home season.
"It's possible. I think we're fairly open-minded to anything, as we've seen over the last couple of years. I see a world where we're potentially winding some bowlers down, even say at the back end of an Indian series if they don't look like they're going to play, to give them an extra rest ahead of the Ashes," Cummins said.
Despite the demanding calendar, Cummins believes the upcoming stretch could become one of the defining periods for the current Australian side.
"It's possible. I think we're fairly open-minded to anything, as we've seen over the last couple of years. I see a world where we're potentially winding some bowlers down, even say at the back end of an Indian series if they don't look like they're going to play, to give them an extra rest ahead of the Ashes," Cummins said.
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Meanwhile, Cummins missed the opening seven matches of IPL 2026 and then led the team to the playoffs. Ishan Kishan, who took over the leadership duties in his absence, will again be the forerunner to replace him as the captain if the Australian great misses out.