IPL 2026: Australian players to play IPL despite ODI series against Pakistan

Pat Cummins (Pic: AFP)

Cricket Australia announced on Thursday that its players, including captain Pat Cummins, will be exempt from the three-match ODI series against Pakistan that starts on May 30 to fulfil their IPL 2026 obligations.

The IPL's league phase ends on May 24, and the tournament's final takes place on May 31. On May 23, the Australian players are expected to arrive in Islamabad for their ODI series against Pakistan.

"Yes, we have received communication that the Australian players in our squad will stay back for the IPL," a source in the Sunrisers Hyderabad told PTI.

The SRH team is led by Australian captain Pat Cummins and also has the star opener Travis Head in their ranks. The Hyderabad-based franchise is currently top of the table in the IPL.

Australian players in the IPL

Other Australian players currently playing in the IPL include Josh Hazlewood, Tim David (RCB), Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis (LSG), Xavier Bartlett, Marcus Stoinis, Cooper Connolly (PBKS), Matthew Short (CSK), Mitchell Starc (DC), and Cameron Green (KKR), in addition to Pat Cummins and Travis Head.

In the event that the Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders do not advance to the knockout stage, Green and Starc may depart the IPL following the league phase.

The Knight Riders are in eighth with seven points from nine games, while DC is in seventh place with eight points from ten games.

The Super Giants, on the other hand, are in 10th place with just four points from nine games, and their chances of qualifying for the playoffs have all but vanished. Therefore, Marsh and Inglis could also join the Australian squad in Pakistan ahead of the first ODI. However, CA is yet to announce the squad for the away series.

However, Hazlewood, David, Connolly, and other players on the list will have to stay back because RCB and PBKS also have a good chance of making it to the playoffs.

It is currently anticipated that they will return to the national team in Bangladesh around the first week of June. Beginning in June, Australia will play Bangladesh in three ODIs and T20Is.

(With PTI Input)