Cricket Australia backs Aussie players as IPL resumes May 17

Melbourne: Cricket Australia (CA) has said it will support players in making individual decisions on whether to return for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is set to resume this weekend following a temporary suspension caused by cross-border hostilities between India and Pakistan.

"Cricket Australia will support players in their individual decisions whether to return to India or not," CA said in a statement. "Team management will work through preparation implications for the World Test Championship final for those players who choose to play in the remaining IPL matches. We are maintaining communication with the Australian Government and BCCI around security arrangements and safety."

The IPL, which was suspended on May 9 amid rising tensions and active hostilities in the Kashmir region, will restart on Saturday, May 17, after a ceasefire was brokered between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The opening fixture of the resumed season will see Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face Kolkata Knight Riders in Bengaluru.

A number of Australian players, coaches and commentators had flown home over the weekend following the suspension of the league. With 13 group matches and the finals still to be played, they must now decide whether to return. Several, including key players likely to feature in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord’s on June 11, are weighing their options carefully.

Among them are Josh Hazlewood (RCB), who is recovering from a shoulder injury, and Mitchell Starc (Delhi Capitals), along with Pat Cummins and Travis Head (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Josh Inglis (Punjab Kings), and Mitch Marsh (Lucknow Super Giants). All are in contention for Australia’s WTC squad.

Ricky Ponting’s Punjab Kings had their previous fixture against Starc’s Delhi Capitals called off mid-innings on May 8 due to air-raid sirens. That match is expected to be rescheduled as part of the resumed tournament.

Top Australian names involved with franchises also include coaches Justin Langer (Lucknow), Ponting and his deputy Brad Haddin (Punjab), and Chennai batting coach Mike Hussey. Commentators Matthew Hayden and Shane Watson are also part of the broadcast setup. Ponting and Haddin are understood to have remained in India.

The BCCI, announcing the resumption, said: "After extensive consultations with government and security agencies, and with all the key stakeholders, the Board has decided to proceed with the remainder of the season."

Though the Sunrisers Hyderabad are already out of playoff contention, several teams featuring Australians remain in the hunt, including Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants.