Cricket Australia (CA) has officially expressed its full support for players facing the critical decision of whether to return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) following its scheduled resumption on May 17. The tournament had been temporarily suspended on May 9 due to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. After the BCCI released a revised schedule late Monday night, the path was cleared for the remaining IPL matches to proceed, leaving Australian cricketers with a significant choice ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord’s on June 11.
CA emphasized that it will back players like Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Travis Head—along with others involved in the IPL—in whatever decision they make. The board said in a statement on May 13 that it will work closely with those who choose to continue playing in the IPL to manage their preparation for the WTC final. Communication is ongoing with both the Australian Government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ensure safety and security measures are in place for returning players.
The IPL’s suspension last week came during a match in Dharamsala between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals when air-raid sirens disrupted play due to regional unrest. The tournament will resume with Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Kolkata Knight Riders, marking the first of 13 remaining league-stage fixtures, across six venues. The final is now scheduled for June 3—just eight days before the WTC final.
Australian stars involved in the IPL include Cummins and Head from Sunrisers Hyderabad, Josh Inglis of Punjab Kings, Mitch Marsh and Mitch Starc from Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants, respectively. While SRH are already out of playoff contention, other teams still have a mathematical chance. Josh Hazlewood, who plays for RCB, is currently sidelined due to a shoulder injury but is on track for a WTC return.
In addition, several other Australians such as Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis, and Jake Fraser-McGurk are participating in this year’s IPL. Prominent coaches like Justin Langer, Brad Haddin, and Mike Hussey, as well as commentators including Matthew Hayden and Mel Jones, are also impacted by the situation. Notably, Ponting and Haddin have remained in India during the break.
The resumption of the IPL comes in a tense political environment sparked by a tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 Indian tourists. The geopolitical scenario has not only impacted the IPL but has also thrown uncertainty over the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where Australian David Warner is involved. However, many overseas PSL players may not return due to scheduling constraints and safety concerns.
CA’s statement confirms that the players’ wellbeing remains the top priority, as they navigate a complex landscape of personal security, franchise loyalty, and national duty ahead of a critical Test match showdown.
