3 minute read

Pat Cummins says it will be a shame if he has played his last Test match against Virat Kohli, who is likely to have retired by the next Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Pat Cummins has paid tribute to pantomime villain Virat Kohli after what was likely to be the Indian veteran's final Test series against Australia.

On the pitch, it was largely a series to forget for Kohli, who averaged only 12.1 runs from the seven knocks that followed an unbeaten century in the series opener - his only score past 40.

Kohli was never far from the headlines during Australia's 3-1 series win, first for confronting a local journalist to advise against filming his young family at Melbourne Airport.

His physical dust-up with debutant Sam Konstas at the MCG ignited tensions with local crowds and a stoush between the teenager and India that would last the remainder of the series.

On the final day of Australia's series-deciding six-wicket win at the SCG, Kohli caused a stir for appearing to reference Australia's "sandpapergate" scandal in the field.

He turned out his pockets and looked down his pants just after Steve Smith's dismissal and was later addressed by umpire Sharfuddoula.

But behind the on-field antics was a player who had enjoyed a distinguished career on Australian shores, where he made seven centuries - more than any other Indian player in history.

He has a better batting average from 18 Tests in Australia (46.72) than in any country outside India, bar South Africa (49.50)

Australia will next meet India for a Test series in early 2027, by which time Kohli will be 38 and likely in retirement.

"It'll be sad if it's his last series," Cummins said as the SCG Test drew to a close.

"It's always been a wonderful contest. It's always I think more than just the runs that he brings to the game. 

"It's always a bit of added theatre, which is sometimes good. Sometimes it can rile you up as an opposition, which I'm sure is part of his plans. If we don't get another chance, it's going to be a shame."

"I've always really enjoyed playing with him. He's been one of the star batters for the last decade or so. You know if you get his wicket, it goes a long way to winning a game."

Kohli has not addressed his retirement plans publicly as India looks to its tour of England from June.

India coach Gautam Gambhir was reluctant to address either Kohli's place in that series or that of ousted captain Rohit Sharma after the loss in Sydney.

"I can't talk about the future of anybody, it's up to them as well," he said.

"What I can say is that they still have the hunger, they still have the passion. They're tough people. 

"Hopefully they can continue to take Indian cricket forward. Whatever they plan, they will plan for the best interest of Indian cricket."