India tour can give identity to skipper Smith’s side: Pacer Cummins

Ranchi, March 14 (IANS) Australian pacer Pat Cummins, who replaced injured Mitchell Starc for the upcoming Test matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, on Tuesday said a tour like India can define a team as well as his captain.

Having made his Test debut in 2011, Cummins, who has not played another match till now, also said he was happy to be part of this big tour.

"Being at home for the first two Tests, I really appreciated how much passion is in this tour and how much Test cricket means. A big Indian tour like this can really identify a team and Steve Smith's captaincy. I've just been pumped watching it at home and to be over and potentially being part of the series is really cool," Cummins told reporters here.

"India is a tour that really brings the team and the squad together, it doesn't feel like a tour where there are one or two stand-outs. Everyone in the eleven needs to contribute. Winning over here is just one of those things that can bring a team together. And bring them together for the next 10 years or so," he added.

The 23-year-old, who was quietly placed on standby for the India tour in January, revealed that he was preparing for the Ashes, which is to be played Down Under later this year, but the sudden call-up for India tour was quite surprising for him.

"I'd set myself little steps of getting back into the one-day side, and from that hopefully getting back into the Test side," the New South Wales bowler said.

"But I didn't think it was going to happen this quickly. I'd always had an eye on the Ashes next year, just thinking that I had to play three or four Shield games to put my hand up for selection. It has certainly come a lot quicker, but I always thought I'd get back here," he added.