'We're still no.1' Cummins refutes rift claims despite a brutal 295-run hammering at Perth

Jaspirt Bumrah-led Indian side handed Australia their second-biggest Test defeat in terms of margin at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The 295-run defeat also marked the end of Australia's unbeaten run at that venue. 

The spirited performance from the visitors has sent shockwaves which as a result, has attracted sharp criticism from fans and leading cricketing experts from the country.  However, many are of the opinion that there are signs of a growing amount of discontent within the Australian players in the dressing room. 

A divide between the Australian batters and bowlers

The signs of a potential rift first came to light when Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood was asked about his side's approach in the first Test. He shockingly attributed the team's downfall to the batters who severely underperformed in the first innings. 

Many cricketing legends such as Adam Gilchrist were not amused with Josh's statement and indicated that a divide between the batters and the bowlers in the dressing room can really be detrimental to the team's success for the remainder of the series. 

Pat Cummins puts these theories to rest

Amidst deteriorating ties in the dressing room, the Aussie skipper Pat Cummins brushed all the claims of a possible rift aside stating that the unit is together and that the players “look after each other.”

In an interview with ABC Sports, Cummins reiterated that despite the horrendous defeat in the first Test, his side remains the top-ranked team in world cricket and vows to make a strong comeback in the second Test.

“We look after each other. There’s plenty of games where the batters drag us out of sticky situations and likewise, we do the opposite. So yeah, it’s such a great bunch. We get on really well. We challenge each other. We will stick firm; I think we are still the no.1 ranked side in the world, so this week doesn’t change that.”

India's dominant win at Perth has set the wheels in motion for the tourists. But they must brace themselves to face the hosts in the upcoming day/night Test at Adelaide starting on December 6. Australia are yet to be beaten in a D/N Test and India will have to be at the top of their mark once again to negate the impending threat. 

See also: Watch: Jasprit Bumrah gets a special name from Aussie commentators