For David Warner and Steve Smith, IPL 2019 is a lot more than another stint in the world's most lucrative T20 league. It's their one real shot at getting into the groove before the big World Cup in England. The two Aussies, banned from international cricket for their role in a ball tampering incident in South Africa last year, have had to miss the IPL as well.

Warner will get the first shot at top-flight competition on the comeback trail when Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens tomorrow. Smith, turning out for Rajasthan Royals, is set to take the field the next day with a match against Delhi Capitals.