Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch to miss first five games for Kolkata

The 15th edition of the Indian T20 league is all set to start on March 26. The first game will see Chennai and Kolkata taking on each other. However, due to Australia's ongoing tour to Pakistan, some of the Aussie players with an Indian T20 league contract would be joining the tournament late.

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As far as the two-time champions are concerned, they have two Australian players in their squad. Them being Pat Cummins and Aaron Finch. While Australia's Test captain was purchased by Kolkata during the mega auction, the Aussie limited-overs skipper came as a replacement for Alex Hales. It is to be noted that the English opener had earlier announced his decision to opt out of the 2022 edition.

 Kolkata's mentor David Hussey revealed that Cummins and Finch will miss the first five games of this 2022 season. This comes as a huge blow for the franchise as the duo is absolute match-winners. During a virtual press conference, Hussey was confident of them being fit the moment they arrive.

"Well, it is a concern, you want your best players available, but international cricket should be the para-limit. Every cricketer should want to play international cricket for their countries so they have commitments that way. I think Cummins and Finch will miss the first five games but they will be cricket fit and cricket ready. So, once they hit the ground running, both quality people and they will fit into the dressing room perfectly well. Australia's ongoing tour of Pakistan ends on April 5 while Kolkata's fifth match of the season is scheduled for April 10," said David Hussey.

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In the meanwhile, the 44-year-old also drew light on the Kolkata-based franchise's new skipper, i.e. Shreyas Iyer. He spoke about how good he is. Hussey also stated that Cummins would be a good deputy.

"Shreyas is a born leader, just the way he walks around, he commands respect. Knowing Pat (Cummins) really well, he would be a good deputy and would also lead from the front. But the way Shreyas has captained in the past for Delhi, he has a very good cricket brain and a nice vision of how to play the game and I think he will express himself really well. I think it's a smart move from Brendon (McCullum) and the Kolkata management," he added.