Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has smashed an Australian batting record in the Indian Premier League.
Cummins amazed everyone, including himself, watching the Klkata Knight Riders victory over Mumbai Indians in the IPL by hitting 50 runs off 14 balls.
The effort equals KL Rahul’s record made during his time at the Punjab Kings and also makes for the fastest half-century ever by an Australian male.
Cummins was retained by the Knight Riders to be their star bowler for the season, yet he’s made history down the other end.
The 28-year-old entered the crease at 5-101 before belting 56 runs off 15 balls overall, which helped his team reach their 162 target for victory with four overs to spare.
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In one seven-ball over, Cummins hit an astonishing 34 runs, with his Australian compatriot Daniel Sams the unlucky bowler in this case.
Easily taking out man of the match, Cummins spoke of his own shock after the match.
He said: "I think I'm probably the most surprised bloke here.
“I think I am batting at my best when I don’t think too much. I just try and swing hard and fortunately today it came off.”
The right-hander was playing his first match of the IPL season, with the Knight Riders needing 35 runs off 30 balls after a great start to his innings. Cummins proceeded to get all 35 in the next over.
He continued: "That's really satisfying, first game here, it means we're now three wins from four.
"At Pune, the ball seems to fly here a bit. It's got a short side so just I tried to attack the short side.
"I'm sure I'll get some messages about my Test match batting where I can hardly get it off the square.”
The cricket-world was left shocked by the display.
One commentator said: “Oh my God, I can’t believe this. He’s made it look so easy, Pat Cummins.”
While Indian Cricketer Abhinav Mukund tweeted: “Still speechless after that hitting! Wow. Unreal! Pat Cummins has given me the earliest night to bed this IPL.”
Former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad also praised the innings, tweeting: “One of the cleanest exhibition of hitting one will ever see. Pat Cummins making world class Mumbai bowlers look like club bowlers. Joint fastest IPL 50, take a bow."
Absolutely astonishing effort from Pat Cummins who enters the record books. Bravo.
Jayden Collins