Pat Cummins Recalls Toughest Time Before Mother's Passing
Pat Cummins shares the tough story of handling his mother's illness while playing against India Australian cricketer Pat Cummins recalls last year as the most difficult time of his life. During a Test series against India, Cummins had to deal with his mother's deteriorating health.
His mother, Maria, passed away due to cancer during this time, while Cummins was in India playing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He had to fly back home between the second and third tests due to his mother's health crisis.
Initially, Cummins planned to return for the third Test, but as his absence prolonged, it became clear that something serious was happening. On March 10, it was announced in the media that Cummins' mother had lost her battle with cancer, which also ruled him out of the ODI matches. Despite his strong commitment to playing for Australia, this was a time when he wished he could be with his mother.
“I knew when I was boarding that plane that I might have to come back soon. That was the toughest time for me, no doubt. I had been feeling it for the 12 months prior. Every time I left home to play, I was aware of the limited time. I was making a choice to play instead of being at home,” Cummins shared in an interview with The Imperfects Podcast.
“During that time, we knew the timeline, and I knew how much joy my parents got from watching me play. They wanted me to go, and I knew I could come back if needed. But those weeks in India, especially looking back now, my mind was back home the whole time.”
Cummins, a successful cricketer with multiple World Cup wins, found himself in a different role during this period. He was not just the star athlete but also a son dealing with family responsibilities. He remembered how during this time, he wanted to escape from everything – the fame, the reputation, and the responsibilities.
“I remember my manager and others advising me to explain why I had to go home, but I didn't care. I wasn't bothered by what people thought,” Cummins recalled.
“After about a week when it was clear I wouldn't return to India, we shared that Mum was in palliative care. But honestly, I didn't care about the rumors. My Mum was a private person, and I knew she wouldn't want any attention. I just wanted to go back to being a kid. I didn't want to play in front of millions and be analyzed. I just wanted to be the son sitting with Mum and Dad.”
Sadly, Pat Cummins' mother couldn't witness his incredible achievements as Australia's captain. He achieved remarkable feats, including retaining the Ashes against England, winning the World Test Championship, and winning the ODI World Cup – all in the same year. These successes felt bittersweet without his mother by his side, and Cummins longed for the simpler, innocent times of his childhood.
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