Some Australian players are seriously considering skipping the end of the Indian Premier League if the lucrative tournament does resume this month.
Players from both the IPL and Pakistan Super League began trickling home on Sunday, after the border conflict between India and Pakistan prompted postponement of the leagues.
Delhi Capitals fast bowler Mitchell Starc and Australia captain Alyssa Healy touched down at Sydney airport on Sunday as delicate talks about this year’s IPL continued in India.
There remains some chance India and Pakistan’s T20 tournaments could return as soon as this week, with players receiving mixed messages on the possibility of a resumption.
Much of that would depend on the success of Saturday’s ceasefire, with that already appearing shaky after explosions were reported in the Kashmir region.
But even if the IPL does restart, with 12 regular-season matches plus finals still to play, it is highly unlikely all Australians will return.
Aussie bowler Mitchell Starc was pictured walking out of Sydney Airport’s arrivals hall on Sunday
He was accompanied by his partner, and Australia captain Alyssa Healy (pictured front)
Starc, who was wearing a GWS Giants top, is one of a number of a number of Aussie players returning home from the IPL this week
AAP has been told by multiple well-placed sources that several players have serious concerns over returning to the tournament so soon.
Players were left shaken by the events of the past week, with several asking why a game in India’s north in Dharamsala went ahead on Thursday.
That match near the Pakistan border was ultimately abandoned 10 overs in because of air-raid warnings in the area, with the crowd removed from the ground.
Players from the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals were moved out of the area the following day via train.
Those events prompted a push for the IPL to be postponed last Friday, with Indian authorities confirming concerns from players.
Australia’s players are now understood to have left India, most dealing with multi-leg flights to return home this weekend.
It’s believed at least some Australian coaching staff have remained behind in the country, while officials determine what to do with the rest of the season.
Adding to the concerns is the situation in Pakistan, after players narrowly avoided being caught up in air strikes on Friday.
It comes amid the ongoing border conflict between India and Pakistan prompted postponement of the leagues
Australia’s players are now understood to have left India, most dealing with multi-leg flights to return home this weekend, with Delhi Capitals fast bowler, Starc, landing on Sunday
It’s believed at least some Australian coaching staff have remained behind in the country, while officials determine what to do with the rest of the season
Players were flown out of the country via an air base in Islamabad that was hours later the target of a missile strike.
Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Ashton Turner, Mitch Owen, Max Bryant and Riley Meredith were the Australian players in Pakistan, with David Warner having already left the country.
Pakistan officials had initially planned on moving the tournament to the UAE, before it too was postponed.
Meanwhile, 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.
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.
Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Mitch Marsh and Xavier Bartlett are among other Australians in squads still in finals contention.
If players do not return or if the tournament doesn’t resume, it is unclear what that would mean for lucrative playing contracts.
Australian players, like Pat Cummins, have been caught up in the situation
Australia will then begin preparations for the World Test Championship final against South Africa starting on June 11
The IPL window is meant to close on May 25.
Australia will then begin preparations for the World Test Championship final against South Africa starting on June 11.
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 is also reported to be open to assisting by hosting matches.
