Australia’s cricketers are in a state of flux, uncertain whether the Indian Premier League will resume and some questioning if they will return regardless.
Players boarded flights out of India on Saturday, after the tournament was postponed on Friday due to the escalating conflict with Pakistan.
Australians featuring in the Pakistan Super League were also planning trips home, after plans to move the rest of that tournament to the UAE were abandoned.
But as players began making their exits with most on multi-leg flights, it emerged both tournaments could potentially resume after a ceasefire between the two countries.
Reports of explosions have since been reported in border towns in the Kashmir region in the hours after that ceasefire, prompting further questions on whether a resumption will be possible.
AAP understands that there is a genuine question from some players whether they would want to return to play out the tournament, after being left shaken by the situation over the past week.
Australian players, like Pat Cummins, have been caught up in the situation
Some Australians have returned home and are questioning if they will return
If the IPL was to resume, shifting all games to southern parts of India, well away from the Pakistan border would appear the most likely option.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are already out of finals contention, with each only having one or two games left.
Pat Cummins, Travis Head and Nathan Ellis are Australians playing for those three lower-ranked teams.
The IPL window is also meant to close on May 25, with Australia set to begin preparations for the World Test Championship final against South Africa starting on June 11.
Australians from the Pakistani Super League are also unsure if that tournament could resume, and whether they would be able to go back and play due to logistics.
Channel 7 presenter Erin Holland, who has been reporting from Pakistan, spoke of the dash back Down Under.
‘I’m just really, really sad,’ she told Sunrise.
‘I visit both (countries) very frequently, working in cricket, and have a lot of love for everyone.’
Channel 7 presenter Erin Holland, who has been reporting from Pakistan, said the situation is ‘really sad’
Grace Hayden, daughter of cricket legend Matthew Hayden, is presenting for broadcaster Star India and remains in Mumbai
‘I had six Aussies with me on the plane, Aussie cricketers who came out, so everyone’s just looking forward to getting home to their families.
‘(I’m) kind of lost for words to be honest. It’s been a really difficult time.’
Grace Hayden, daughter of cricket legend Matthew Hayden, is presenting for broadcaster Star India and remains in Mumbai, while her father has travelled from Dharamshala to Delhi as part of efforts to get home.
‘It was pretty scary last night at studio watching the game and they called it off so we all just watched what was going on there,’ Grace said.
‘Dad is okay, they got him and everyone out safely. They are handling it really well. We are taking it minute by minute so it feels pretty foreign right now.’
Grace, who has been working with the IPL for four years, echoed Holland’s emotional response.
‘I have a deep love for both countries,’ she said.
‘To watch this unfold is heartbreaking, just horrible. I understand I am extremely privileged and I have options. It is all very sad.’
Players in Pakistan narrowly avoided being caught up in the drama on Friday, flying out of an airbase in Islamabad hours before it was struck by missiles.
The safety of players in the IPL was thrown into the spotlight on Thursday night, after a game between Dharamsala was abandoned mid-match with air raid warnings in the area.
The match ended up being the last one played before officials met the next day to postpone games for at least a week, with that hold set to be lifted on Thursday.
Another option for Indian officials would be to move games overseas, with South Africa and the UAE having previously hosted games.
The English and Wales Cricket Board are also reported to be open to assisting by hosting matches, with 12 regular-season games still scheduled to be played and four finals.
