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AUS vs IND: Australia's ODI skipper Pat Cummins has pulled out from the white ball series against New Zealand and India as he has sustained a lower-back injury, as has been revealed by Cricket Australia. This also means that Cummins would also be giving the highly-awaited series against India a miss.

Australia's preparation for the upcoming Ashes Test series has also been dealt a huge blow ever since Cummins' lower-back issue came up. The Australian cricket team is supposed to travel to New Zealand for a three-match T20I series next month, and then the Men in Blue will go to Australia for a three-match ODI series and five-match T20I series. England would then fly to Australia later this year for the much-awaited Ashes Test series.

"Cummins won't be considered for the upcoming limited-overs series against India (or New Zealand) and will continue his rehabilitation plan with a return to bowling to be determined as part of his Ashes preparation," a statement released by Cricket Australia said.

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Post bowling 95 overs during the four-match Test series against England and then bowling in the three Test matches against West Indies at their backyard and against South Africa during the WTC summit clash, the Australian skipper had been suffering from back pain. The scans showed that there was a level of lumbar bone stress, and as per their cricket board, he would be required to undergo further treatment ahead of the Ashes. At the same time, it is not a stress fracture injury, and the medical staff would analyze whether his back can survive throughout the Ashes, where he is expected to play in all five Test matches.

Cummins had also given the Champions Trophy 2025 and white-ball series against West Indies a miss.

AUSTRALIA'S MR. RELIABLE

This is a huge blow for Australia since Cummins has had a brilliant record as far as durability is concerned over the last few years. After becoming the captain of the national team four years ago, he had given just two Test matches a miss owing to an injury, whereas Nathan Lyon has played in more Test matches than him ever since he made his comeback in 2017. He is also one of the country's most dependable players during the Ashes, where he has missed just one of the last 20 Test matches against England and featured in every match during the 2017-18, 2019, and 2023 series.

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Scott Boland can replace Cummins in the playing XI if all the pacers are declared fit. Steve Smight might lead the hosts from the front in Cummins' absence as he had done against Sri Lanka this year. Still, Cummins's absence is a huge blow to the host.

The quartet of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Boland, and Nathan Lyon during the series opener in Perth would become the oldest combination ever included by the host.