Australian captain Pat Cummins has come under criticism after losing the first two matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Cummins then left for Australia after the second Test citing personal reasons. Cricket Australia said on Friday (February 24) that Cummins will not return to India this week. Due to this, the third Test is not being played. Steve Smith will serve as the captain in that test.

Australia came to India with a full-strength team to play four Tests and three ODI series. However, Australia captain Pat Cummins is under criticism after losing the first two Tests badly. After the third Test defeat in three days, Cummins left for Australia citing personal reasons. It was said that he will return to India before the third Test. However, today Cricket Australia quoted Cummins in a statement and said, Cummins, is not returning before the third Test. Quoting Cummins, Cricket Australia said, Cummins’ mother is ill and is now in palliative care. Due to this, he is not returning to India for now. He will stay in his own country to give time to his family.

Meanwhile, co-captain Steven Smith will lead the team in the third Test against India in Cummins’ absence. If Cummins cannot return to India before the fourth Test, Smith will captain that Test as well. Australia is trailing 2-0 in the current Border-Gavaskar series. Meanwhile, David Warner and Josh Hazlewood have been ruled out of the series due to injuries. Aston Agar also moved to Australia. As a result, the absence of the team captain for the rest of the season shows how much loss it will be for Australia.