I owe few dinners to McCullum and rest of KKR staff for that auction bid: Pat Cummins

Australian pacer Pat Cummins, costliest player of Indian Premier League (IPL), on Saturday thanked Kolkata Knight Riders head coach Brendon McCullum for picking him for a record sum of Rs 15.5 crore. number one ICC Test bowler, who was part of ir IPL-2014 winning team, was slated to don KKR jersey again in IPL this year but tournament originally scheduled from March 29 has been postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic.

'I owe few dinners to McCullum and rest of KKR staff'

"I owe Baz (McCullum) and rest of staff who picked me a few dinners at least. Someone like Baz, I have played against him, is a great cricketer and an international captain," Aussie star pacer, who turned 27 on Friday, said in an interview on KKR website.

"To get that kind of reassurance that you've got something that I really want in team' is great for me. I think a big contract brings big responsibilities, but more than anything, it brings a lot of excitement.

"Once you are out re, you forget about contract really quickly, and it's mainly about being with team and trying to win. I am really excited to be with squad we put toger for this season."

situation with COVID-19 has led to talks around fact that saliva might t be allowed to shine ball anymore and Cummins said re has to be some or option. "Things will change in all sports, I agree. But I think re has to be some or option. Saliva or any ar substance, as long as we are able to shine ball, I am okay," ICC Test player of year said. "As a fast bowler, you gotta be able to shine ball. reason why everyone loves Test cricket is because it has so much art to it. You have swing bowlers, spinners, you have all se different aspects that make Test cricket what it is. "I think if you can't shine ball, it takes away swing bowling, reverse swing bowling...so much really. Honestly, I wouldn't want to give batsmen any reason to score more runs."

Cummins is spending lockdown in his farm about an hour-and-a half south of Sydney.

"Over here, I can still go for runs, and I have a basic weights setup. We have some cows here, who I have been feeding. I have also been doing some gardening jobs. So yeah, enjoying fresh air quite a bit. 

"re is absolutely cricketer here on farm. Hopefully it stays that way, it is my getaway spot from cricket. We are on road so much usually, I come here to take those breaks." 

Im credits: Twitter