Two months of IPL cricket can really uplift a players' skillset and ability to handle the pressure, which then works in his favour when he turns up at the international level, reiterated Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins.
Cummins took his own example to stress the point on influence of the IPL on players, as they get to rub shoulders with some of the best cricketers in the world, learn from renowned coaches during their time playing the annual T20 league in India.
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The 27-year-old, who has had stints with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), rejoined the KKR camp for IPL 2020 after being bought at a whopping sum of 15.5 crores at the auction in December last year.
"In previous IPL stints I was in a position where I was bowling the last couple of overs in a situation where it could either win or lose the match and that's just a huge experience, it just really fast-tracked me," cricket.com.au quoted Cummins as saying.
"Rahul Dravid was my coach (when he was with Delhi), I have played with Jacques Kallis, Wasim Akram was a bowling coach at Kolkata. You get to spend some time with amazing cricketers and get different insights and at the same time be put in some high-pressure situations. Each time I've played, I've felt like I've learnt a lot in those six or seven weeks."
The 13th edition of the IPL, originally due to start on March 29, remains indefinitely suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which, Cummins says, is extremely unfortunate, given the tournament was to play a key role in his and other Australian players' preparation towards the home T20 World Cup later in the year.
"The reason it (IPL) was so important for so many players this year was leading into a T20 World Cup and even if that does get moved, it's still going to be on at some stage. You look at what's the best opportunity for your cricket and what you're going to get the most out of," he said.
Australia is scheduled to host ICC's flagship event from October 18 to November 15.
However, the ongoing pandemic has put that in doubt, especially because of the logistical challenges of organising a 16-team event amid the travelling restrictions.
(Inputs from cricket.com.au)
