Irfan Pathan names Captain of the Season as KKR faces SRH in IPL 2024: 'When you have a big heart as leader...'

In the lead-up to the IPL 2024 final, Irfan Pathan has named Pat Cummins as the captain of the season. The final features Shreyas Iyer's Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Cummins-led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Iyer, aiming for KKR's third title in their fourth final, has previously led the team to another final in the last four years. Cummins, on the other hand, seeks another major win after leading Australia to victories in the ICC World Test Championship and the 50-over World Cup.

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Cummins' captaincy skills

Pathan highlighted Cummins' versatile captaincy for SRH. He praised Cummins for taking on various bowling roles, such as opening the bowling, delivering crucial overs in the second half of games, and handling the pressure of the final overs. Pathan emphasized that Cummins’ willingness to take on difficult tasks demonstrates his leadership qualities, which in turn inspires his teammates to take responsibility.

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This season, Cummins has been a key player for SRH, becoming their second-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets in 15 matches, only behind T Natarajan who has 19 wickets in 13 matches. Cummins' impact goes beyond his performance, as his leadership has been a significant factor for the team. Despite questions about his form before the season, Cummins' experience and determination have proven crucial. Pathan concluded by saying that Cummins' leadership style, marked by a "big heart," has earned him the title of the captain of the season.