Credit: NDTV
As the Gabba Test unfolds, Pat Cummins has added another feather to his cap
The fourth day of the ongoing third Test between India and Australia, a series of immense significance, has been packed with action. Pat Cummins quietly created history while India nearly escaped the follow-on due to a stubborn partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep. By taking the wicket of Nitish Kumar Reddy, Cummins passed West Indies icon Sir Garfield Sobers to become the third-highest wicket-taker as a test skipper. With 118 scalps, he is now in elite company, behind only PAK's Imran Khan and fellow Australian Richie Benaud.
Stumps on Day 4 in Brisbane!
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 17, 2024
A fighting day with the bat 👏👏#TeamIndia move to 252/9, trail by 193 runs
A gripping Day 5 of Test cricket awaits tomorrow
Scorecard - https://t.co/dcdiT9NAoa#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/QxCJkN3RR8
The match at The Gabba has been a roller coaster. India finished the day on 252/9, remaining 193 runs behind Australia's first innings total. Cummins led from the front with four wickets, while Mitchell Starc took three. But the day was about more than simply the figures on the scoreboard; it was about a skipper claiming his place in cricket history.
Imran Khan was more than simply a captain; he personified PAK cricket. When Khan took over in 1982, he introduced his team to a new level of tenacity. With 187 wickets in 48 Tests as captain, he is still the gold standard for leadership from the front. His biggest achievement came in 1987 when he guided Pakistan to their first-ever Test series victory on English soil at Lord's. Imran's reputation is one of resilience and supremacy, both on the pitch and as a strategist.
Richie Benaud, known for his acute cricketing intelligence and leg-spin, was at the core of Australia's late-1950s comeback. From 1958 to 1964, he led Australia to its current status as a formidable power. Benaud's 138 wickets as captain were part of a remarkable career that saw him become the first Test player to take 200 wickets and score 2,000 runs. Benaud was a great pioneer whose influence stretched far beyond his playing days.
Pat Cummins' path to leadership was not straightforward. After making his debut as a youngster in 2011, he was sidelined for years due to injury. However, his recovery has been nothing short of spectacular. Cummins, who was named Test captain in 2021, has accumulated 118 wickets while combining ferocious speed with strong leadership. This recent milestone versus India demonstrates his consistency and ability to perform under duress. His resilience is a source of inspiration, and with years ahead of him, who knows how far he'll progress?
Sir Garfield Sobers Test Stats
— Pushkar Pushp (@ppushp7) July 28, 2021
8️⃣0️⃣3️⃣2️⃣ Runs 🏏at an avg of 57.78
2️⃣3️⃣5️⃣ Wickets ☑️
1️⃣0️⃣9️⃣ Catches#OnThisDay birth of the finest allrounder of all time. pic.twitter.com/1qKxSroHEm
Sir Garry Sobers was more than simply a bowler or a batsman; he was cricket's most superb all-rounder. Sobers, the West Indies' captain from 1965 to 1972, exemplified grace and supremacy. With 117 wickets as captain, Sobers' ability to swing the game with both bat and ball made him an opponent's nightmare. Though he is currently ranked fourth on this list, his place in cricket history is unrivalled.
Daniel Vettori of New Zealand may not have the same mystique as some of the other players on our list, but his track record speaks for itself. Vettori's cunning left-arm spin resulted in 116 wickets as captain since taking over in 2007. With his batting skills, he is one of the game's most underestimated leaders. During his tenure as captain, Vettori's calm demeanour and all-around skill set made him a pillar of New Zealand cricket.
