The captain’s impact on a cricket side can vary between monumental and incremental. In the World Cup final, each skipper’s performance had a major impact on their team’s fortunes. And while Rohit Sharma threw his wicket away to forfeit his team’s early advantage, the final in Ahmedabad was the day Cummins’ captaincy came of age. Australia’s skipper outplayed and outstrategized his rival, starting with the surprising decision to bowl first after winning the toss. Sharma got his team off to a strong start in the opening power play, repeatedly hitting boundaries, but eventually made a rash shot that led to his downfall. Cummins, on the other hand, led his team to an impressive victory, employing various strategies to break through on a batting-friendly surface.
Despite some criticisms of Cummins’ leadership, his success in the World Cup final has earned him praise and accolades. As the fifth Australian men’s captain to lift a World Cup trophy, Cummins has proved his worth as a leader. While his future as an ODI captain is uncertain, his achievements this year have secured his place as a respected and successful captain. His next major assignment is the T20 World Cup next June in the Caribbean and US, and his strong leadership is expected to continue to lead his team to success.