Aussie cricket legend Jason Gillespie tells Pat Cummins to forget about the Test series in India

Former star fast bowler Jason Gillespie believes Pat Cummins should sit out the rest of the series in India to remain with his seriously ill mother.

Cummins returned to Sydney immediately after the second defeat in India last Sunday, and on Thursday night made the decision to remain in Australia. 

And Gillespie said the 29-year-old should not return to India, given Australia’s hopes of a first Test series win in the country in 19 years have already gone up in smole.

India have an unassailable 2-0 series lead and will retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the fourth consecutive even if Australia win the remaining two Tests in Indore and Ahmedabad next month.

‘If I was in charge, I’d probably just say to him: “Stay at home”,’ Gillespie, who was part of Australia’s successful 2004 tour to India, told ABC Radio.

Cummins returned to Sydney last week to be with his severely ill mother 

‘With all due respect, the series is gone, we can’t win this series […] moving forward, it might just be a really good opportunity for Pat Cummins to spend important time, precious time, with close family and friends.

‘What’s more important, spending time with your close family and friends and particularly your mum who’s gravely ill, or the fourth Test of a series that you’ve already lost?

‘Be a son. Be a brother, just be around your family. Family is the number one thing.’

The 29-year-old on Thursday night informed coach Andrew McDonald of his decision to remain in Australia, with the rest of the squad told at training on Friday morning.

‘I have decided against returning to India at this time as my mother is ill and in palliative care. I feel I am best being here with my family,’ Cummins said.

‘I appreciate the overwhelming support I have received from Cricket Australia and my teammates. Thanks for your understanding.’

Meanwhile, Australia are doing their best to support Cummins from afar after the popular captain opted to sit out of the third Test, which begins on March 1.

Batter Travis Head said the rest of the Australian team only wished Cummins and his family the best.

‘It’s a hard period for him and he’s got the full support of all of us – he’s got a lot of close friends here,’ Head said on Saturday.

‘The limited conversations that we’ve all had probably with him, it’s always a hard moment.

‘We fully expect him to be at home. Life’s a bigger thing than cricket.

Gillespie (first left) was part of the last Australian team to win a Test series in India in 2004

Australia trail India 2-0 in the four-Test match series, with the hosts already retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for a fourth time after dominant wins in Nagpur and Delhi 

Travis Head (right) said Australian players were fully supportive of Cummins’ decision

‘It’s more important for him to be at home than be here.

‘We truck on and find ways as a team to support him and to get on with the job.’

Cummins intends to return for the fourth and final Test in Ahmedabad, starting on March 9.

But his availability for that match will depend on his family situation.