[Watch] World Cup-winning Australian skipper Pat Cummins arrives in Sydney with no major reception at the airport
Australian skipper Pat Cummins arrived in Sydney on Wednesday morning to a surprisingly empty airport, despite winning a sixth ODI World Cup in India. There were only media members to greet the 30-year-old and other players at the airport.
The scenes were markedly different from how heroes in Indian sports, especially cricketers, are welcomed after a triumph in a marquee tournament.
Australia exceeded all expectations by outplaying the tournament favorites and hosts India in the grand finale in Ahmedabad. Following defeats in their opening two matches, Cummins and company reeled off nine consecutive wins, including the semi-final and final, to pull off a remarkable victory.
Here is a video of Pat Cummins arriving home without much fanfare at the airport:
Cummins has been praised by several experts for his astute captaincy throughout the tournament and particularly in the summit clash.
From his decision to bowl first, to rotating the bowlers and setting the perfect fields, the Aussie skipper was spot on in almost every aspect. His proactive decisions helped the team restrict the vaunted Indian batting lineup to a mere 240.
In reply, Travis Head's breathtaking 137 and Marnus Labuschagne's valuable 58* helped seal a comprehensive six-wicket win in just 43 overs.
"Kind of remember that you just won a World Cup and get excited all over again" - Pat Cummins
Earlier this year, Pat Cummins led Australia to the World Test Championship (WTC) title with a victory over India in the final. In addition, the team also retained the Ashes in England a few months back.
After arriving in Sydney, Cummins admitted that the feeling of being world champions hadn't completely sunk in for him. The 30-year-old told reporters at the Sydney Airport:
"I think we’ll be smiling for a fair while. We are still buzzing. Every half an hour so, you kind of remember that you just won a World Cup and get excited all over again. You only get one chance every four years and especially playing somewhere like India, it’s hard."
"To be pitted up against the rest of the world and come away with a medal, it doesn’t get any better than that," Pat Cummins continued. "Adding to that an away Ashes series, a World Test Championship, we couldn’t have planned for much better. It almost became sudden death."
A packed international schedule means the Aussies will be back in the park for the five-match T20I series against India starting on November 23. Cummins, however, has been rested for that series; he will return for the three-Test home series against Pakistan, starting in Perth on December 14.