Mayank Markande, the 27-year-old leg-spinner, has reserved the highest respect for Australian star Pat Cummins by labelling him one of the best captains he has ever played under.

Mayank MarkandeRecently, Markande shared his thoughts in an interview with Sports Today, reflecting on his time with the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the previous Indian Premier League (IPL) season, where the team reached the final before falling short against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the showdown.

The leg spinner is particularly impressed with the way Cummins gives freedom and confidence to the players. It remains to be seen how SRH will go about their business in the upcoming season. 

"Pat Cummins is one of the best captains I have played under. The freedom and confidence he gives are very important for us to grow and perform. At any stage, you would not feel that the captain has left you alone. He is always there with us, and I like Cummins as a captain," Markande said.

Having previously played for SRH, MI and a single match for the Rajasthan Royals, Markande now embarks on a new chapter with the Kolkata Knight Riders. During the IPL 2025 auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, KKR secured the services of the crafty spinner at his base price of INR 30 lakhs.

Markande, who is known for his accurate leg-breaks and deceptive googlies, has been a reliable performer in the IPL. Across 37 games, he has claimed 37 wickets with a best performance of 4/23 and an economy rate of 8.91.

The leg-spinner will hope to make a significant impact at KKR. With an eye on contributing to KKR’s success, Markande's journey promises to be one to watch as the IPL 2025 season unfolds.