The Australian cricket team faces another huge blow ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with Mitchell Marsh already ruled out. Now, according to the latest update confirmed by Australian head coach Andrew McDonald, Pat Cummins may also miss the tournament.

In the ongoing Australia tour of Sri Lanka for the two-match Test series, multiple injury concerns are ruling out key players, including captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. With Cummins unavailable, Steve Smith has been appointed as captain for the series.

Hazlewood sustained an injury during the India series, while Pat Cummins is missing out due to a heavy workload. He has been complaining of an ankle injury and is also expecting his second child.

Australian team coach Andrew McDonald gave an update on Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood while speaking to radio station SEN.

"Pat Cummins hasn't been able to resume any type of bowling, so he's heavily unlikely, so that would mean that we do need a captain."

Australian coach Andrew McDonald mentioned that Steve Smith and Travis Head are being considered for the leadership role in Pat Cummins' absence.

"Steve Smith and Travis Head are the two that we've been having conversations with while we've been building out that Champions Trophy team along with Pat back home."

McDonald believes that Steve Smith and Travis Head are these two options for the leadership role. He praised Smith for his captaincy in the first Test against Sri Lanka and his experience in leadership, saying the decision will be between those two.

McDonald talks about both Cummins and Hazelwood later in this conversation.

"As I said, Patty is hugely unlikely, which is a bit of a shame, and we've also got Josh Hazlewood, who is battling (to be fit) at the moment. So that medical information will land over the next couple of days."

Australia will finalize and submit their ICC Champions Trophy squad by February 12. The team is waiting for final injury updates on Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood before making a decision.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will start on February 19 and will be played in a hybrid model across Pakistan and Dubai. Australia is placed in Group B alongside England, South Africa, and Afghanistan. and they will play their first match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on February 26 against England.