Pat Cummins is confident he will be fit for the forthcoming Indian Premier League season, as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

The Australia Test and ODI captain sustained the blow during the Baggy Greens' Test series against India earlier this year, and missed out on participating at the Champions Trophy.

Nevertheless, the right-arm pacer has his sights set on returning to action with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who he helped reach the final of last year's IPL, before the World Test Championship final against South Africa in June.

The 31-year-old believes the strategic decision not to play in the Champions Trophy will pay dividends in the long run.

"The ankle is all going strong, been able to give it a good rest and then been building up slowly, which you don't get to do when you play lots of cricket," he told ESPNcricinfo.

"It's feeling as strong as it has for a fair while. [It] should be fine [for the IPL], that's the plan. So, have a few weeks of bowling, building back up and then, hopefully, [I] don't have to worry about it for a while.

"It's something that we've opted never to have surgery on or intervene too much, just a lot of rehab. Having this break meant that I could get a couple of cortisones, and really rehab it well the last couple of weeks.

"Sometimes, by missing the odd tour, you actually end up playing more cricket for the whole year. I think in the past, you used to play everything.

"Whereas now, absolutely, you try and make sure the players are at their peak for as long as you can for the year, and to play as much of the important stuff each year. It's just the way of the world. Everyone's used to it."

Pat Cummins is bowling again as he begins gearing up for the IPL and WTC final, with his workload set to be managed ahead of the Ashes starting later in the year https://t.co/qgpfUBCaM8 pic.twitter.com/CamPmRTb6N

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 26, 2025