"Custom Made Pitch": Pat Cummins' Subtle Jibe At Team India Ahead Of 1st Test

Australia skipper Pat Cummins made it clear on Wednesday that his side is not bothered by the discussion regarding the pitch in Nagpur ahead of the first Test match starting February 9. Ian Healy started the controversy by saying that the hosts will be making the pitch in order to suit their game plan and there were several reports claiming India were trying to “doctor” the pitch. Cummins said that it will be a challenge for the side considering the conditions will be “custom-made” for India.

“These series always throw up different challenges on the field or off the field, and embracing it is what makes these tours so special. That's part of the challenge of playing away. Home teams want to win at home. In Australia, we're lucky we've normally got pace and bounce. Home match advantage, I don't think it's a terrible thing. It's another challenge and makes touring over here even harder when you know the conditions are custom-made for them,” Cummins said.

Australian cricket teams haven't won a Test series in India for the past 19 years but current skipper Pat Cummins would tell anyone who cares to listen that his unit doesn't carry the baggage of victories and defeats of his predecessors.

As Cummins leads Australia to one of its toughest assignments in India, the skipper also underlined the importance of a good first-innings score, which will be crucial in the context of the series.

"No, this team is very different to a lot of the teams that have played here in the past. So we don't carry the wins, we don't carry the losses," Cummins told reporters when asked if past results would weigh heavily on his mind.

"We know it's tough to tour here, India are a really good cricket side, especially at home, so we are excited. And,