Australia captain Pat Cummins has hinted that he could skip IPL 2027 as he weighs up his workload ahead of a packed international calendar that includes a Test tour of India, the Ashes and the ODI World Cup.

The premier fast bowler said no decision has been made yet, but acknowledged that Australia’s demanding schedule next year may force him to prioritise international commitments over franchise cricket. Cummins stressed that Test cricket and the ODI World Cup remain his primary focus.

Australia are set for a four-Test series in India early next year before taking part in the historic 150th anniversary Test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. That will be followed by a high-profile Ashes campaign and the ODI World Cup in southern Africa, leaving little room for extended commitments elsewhere.

“Something has got to give at some stage next year, and it’s not going to be Test matches or an ODI World Cup,” Cummins told The Age. “I will make a call a lot closer and work with the franchise to see what makes sense. Things can change. I’ve had a couple of injuries pop up, so I don’t really want to lock in anything,” he added.

“The priorities for me are always the Test matches and that ODI World Cup. I dare say if I play all of India, I need some sort of break before a pretty gruelling Ashes series,” Cummins explained.

Cummins has previously dealt with injury concerns, including a back issue that affected parts of his international schedule. The Australian skipper also suggested that workload management could extend to other senior quicks, including Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, during parts of Australia’s home season.

“It’s possible. I think we’re fairly open-minded to anything, as we’ve seen over the last couple of years. I see a world where we’re potentially winding some bowlers down, even say at the back end of an Indian series if they don’t look like they’re going to play, to give them an extra rest ahead of the Ashes,” Cummins said.

Despite the demanding calendar, Cummins believes the upcoming stretch could become one of the defining periods for the current Australian side.

“It’s going to be a big push the next 18 months or so, but I think we’ll look back on it hopefully and see it as one of the more rewarding periods of our career,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cummins missed the opening seven matches of IPL 2026 and then led the team to the playoffs. Ishan Kishan, who took over the leadership duties in his absence, will again be the forerunner to replace him as the captain if the Australian great misses out.

(With agency inputs)