Pat Cummins, Australia's Test and ODI skipper, will take a break from red-ball responsibilities following his brilliant cameo performance in the recent Ashes 2025-26, with the fast bowler now eyeing a possible comeback to the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in 2026.

Cummins missed the first two Tests of the Ashes series after suffering a lower-back injury during Australia's tour of the West Indies in June and July. He returned for the third Test in Adelaide and made an immediate impact, taking six wickets in a dominant performance to help Australia win the series.

Cummins' long-term fitness was given priority by Australian team management, who decided not to risk him for the final two Test matches after securing the Ashes urn. The 32-year-old said on Friday that he would now take a break before aiming for the early February start of the T20 World Cup.

"Feeling good, so got through Adelaide unscathed, so pretty happy. As of a few weeks ago, I was still coming back from a back injury, so playing back-to-back Test matches was pretty high risk. Cool our heels for a little bit with the T20 World Cup next month," Cummins told Channel 7 during the lunch break on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test.

Cummins' comments come curiously after Australia coach Andrew McDonald suggested that the fast bowler was not a certainty for the T20 World Cup squad. The head coach stated that caution is the primary concern, keeping Cummins’ workload in mind.

Australia begins its T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on February 11 against Ireland in Colombo.

All-rounder Mitchell Marsh continues to captain Australia in the shortest format, a position he is anticipated to hold for the international competition, while Cummins continues to lead Australia in Tests and ODIs.