Massive blow for Australia as Pat Cummins' chances of participation in T20 World Cup 2026 are 'quite grey'

Australia captain Pat Cummins, who made his cricketing comeback in the third Test of Ashes 2025, is currently battling a back stress issue that has affected his participation in the ongoing Test series against England and his chances of playing at next year's T20 World Cup are "quite grey at the moment".

Australia's T20 World Cup 2026 Group

The T20 World Cup 2026 will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka, where Australia are placed in Group B alongside Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Oman and Ireland.

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Cummins chances to feature in the T20 World Cup 2026 are bleak

Cummins, who returned to play the third Ashes Test in Adelaide after missing the opening two matches, picked up six wickets to help Australia clinch the series 3-0. However, the Australian Test and ODI skipper will take no further part in the series, and even his participation at the T20 World Cup is also uncertain. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh is Australia's T20I captain.

"Looking forward to the World Cup, whether he will be there or not, I can't really say. It's quite grey at the moment. We're hopeful," head coach Andrew McDonald was quoted as saying by 'ESPNCricinfo'.

Cummins' injury

The fast-bowling all-rounder was diagnosed with a lumbar stress reaction during Australia's tour of the West Indies in July. He underwent rehabilitation before being cleared for a carefully managed return in Adelaide.

"He's pulled up fine. He won't play any part in the rest of the series and that was a discussion that we had a long time out around his return," McDonald said.

"We were taking on some risk and people that reported on that would understand the risk associated with that rebuild. We've now won the series and that was the goal.

"So, to position him for further risk and jeopardise him long-term is not something that we want to do and Pat's really comfortable with that," he added.