Who will lead Australia in Champions Trophy 2025 with Pat Cummins ruling out due to injury? Coach already revealed big names

Cricket Australia has officially confirmed that its captain, Pat Cummins, will not compete in the Champions Trophy, which starts in Pakistan and the UAE on February 19. Concerns over injuries have rattled Australia days before the mega tournament. Four important members of the ODI world champions will be absent: all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Marsh, fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood, and Cummins.

Multiple blows to Australia

The Australian team has suffered multiple injury blows and to top it Stoinis announced his retirement from the 50-over format. They will have to name four replacements before the deadline of 12 February. They will also be looking for a name to lead their team in the marquee event.

"Unfortunately, Pat, Josh, and Mitch are managing ongoing injuries and haven’t recovered in time for the Champions Trophy. While disappointing, it presents a great opportunity for other players to step up for Australia in a global tournamen," said chief selector George Bailey on Thursday.

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Who will lead Australia in Cummins' absence?

Earlier, head coach Andrew McDonald had already confirmed that in case such a situation arises either Steve Smith or Travis Head will be leading the Australian team in the Champions Trophy 2025.

"Pat Cummins hasn't been able to resume any type of bowling so he's heavily unlikely, so that would mean that we do need a captain. Steve Smith and Travis Head are the two that we've been having conversations with while we've been building out that Champions Trophy team along with Pat back home. They'll be the two that we look at for that leadership post," McDonald told SEN.

"They're the two obvious ones. Steve has done a great job here in the [first] Test match. He's done some good work in one-day international cricket across the journey as well. So it's between those two. But, as I said, Patty is hugely unlikely, which is a bit of shame, and we've also got Josh Hazlewood, who is battling [to be fit] at the moment. So that medical information will land over the next couple of days and we'll be able to shore that up and let everyone know the direction," he added.

A number of players have been added to the Australian side for their two-match ODI series in Sri Lanka due to many injury setbacks. Under Steve Smith's guidance, Australia is presently engaged in the last Test of a two-match series at Galle. Tanveer Sangha, a leg-spinner who was added to the Test team, will stay for the ODI series, which starts in Colombo on February 12.

Cooper Connolly and Sean Abbott, who both earned Test debuts on Thursday, will also be retained for the ODI series. In addition, they have also added seam-bowling all-rounder Ben Dwarshuis, left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson, and top-order batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk to the ODI team ahead of finalising their Champions Trophy squad.