‘It's got its challenges’: SRH skipper Pat Cummins gears up for captaincy debut in T20

Newly-appointed Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) skipper Pat Cummins feels that while T20 isn't as physically taxing as some of the longer formats of the game, it is the length of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the amount of travel involved over a two-month period that proves to be a huge challenge. That along with making different plans and preparations for different teams.

"It's a format I've never captained before. Tomorrow (Saturday) is going to be my first game. With a bit of preparation, I'm good to go," Cummins said on the eve of their IPL opener against Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata.

"It's got its challenges. You play 14 games in six-seven weeks, plus finals. I'm used to playing a lot of Test cricket, so four overs isn't as taxing on your body. But it can be mentally taxing to travel, you're playing a new team every few days you've got to prepare for.

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"But it's nothing new, we've done it before, so obviously the game days are the most important, that's where we put most of our energies into. No team plays the same XI all 14 games."

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Cummins had recently been appointed skipper of the 'Orange Army' after being acquired for a whopping sum of Rs 20.5 crore thanks mainly to his success at the international level, where he had led Australia to the ICC World Test Championship and World Cup victories last year.

The pacer, who replaced South Africa's Aiden Markram in the role, has been tasked with reviving SRH's fortunes after disappointing results in the last two seasons, including a wooden spoon last year.

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Cummins, who is the second most expensive buy at this IPL auction, will not only have the burden of captaincy but will have the pressure to deliver with the ball. He will have Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the only other experienced bowler in the line-up. They also have the likes of T Natarajan and Jaydev Unadkat.

"We have got loads of experienced guys excited with the lineup. Bhuvi I will be leaning on a lot. We have got a lot of experience and young guys as well.

"It's T20 cricket, you will be hit around, not worry about too much. So it will be up for the experienced guys to help the youngsters' out."

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Saturday's match is being billed as Cummins vs Mitchell Starc clash and the Aussie skipper said: "Hopefully I don't have to face Starc. It's funny beauty of the IPL. These guys playing Starcy for 15 years.

"I can't remember when I played against him. It will be an interesting part of tomorrow. We are both bowlers so there won't be crossover too much," he signed off.

With PTI inputs