How IPL resumption could impact Australia’s World Test Championship plans, which Aussie cricketers will return to India

Australia’s World Test Championship plans could be thrown into disarray following the resumption of the IPL – but Pat Cummins appears set to return to India despite this.

PAT CUMMINS is poised to fulfill his leadership commitments by heading back to the Indian Premier League but injured Josh Hazlewood remains in doubt.

Cummins is captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad who are out of contention for the finals with three matches to play but he is set to return for the competition restart this weekend.

“Pat has a responsibility as captain of the franchise and is looking at returning,‘’ his manager Neil Maxwell confirmed.

Tournament star Hazlewood, who missed one match with a shoulder niggle and was scheduled to miss a second, will have a fitness test to decide his fate.

Pat Cummins is poised to return to India. Picture: Noah Seelam / AFP

With the World Test Championship looming next month Hazlewood may be wise to stay in Australia to fine tune his recovery.

David Warner, who has been playing in the Pakistan Super League, has confirmed he will head back to Pakistan for the resumption of the suspended competition.

The relaunched Indian Premier League will overlap preparations for the World Test Championship, casting uncertainty over the return of a group of Australian Test stars.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Josh Hazlewood (L) has been in fine form. Picture: AFP

Australia is set to leave for a training camp on May 29 for the World Test Championship against South Africa at Lords from June 11.

The relaunched IPL, halted for a week due to the border war against Pakistan, will restart on Saturday and continue to a June 3 final, by which time the Australian Test squad will be in England.

Even though the India-Pakistan skirmish is in the midst of a ceasefire, Mitchell Starc would have to take a deep breath before returning after being involved in the chaotic game last week which was cancelled in Dharamshala when air raid sirens were heard in the distance.

Starc, however, is a renowned big game performer and with Delhi in contention for the finals they may be hoping he returns.

Starc was involved in the game last week that was called off when air raid sirens were heard in the background. Picture: Getty

Cummins and Travis Head play for Sunrisers Hyderabad who are out of play-off contention with three matches to play.

Cricket Australia confirmed it will support players, whichever stance they take.

“Following the announcement that the IPL will resume on Saturday, Cricket Australia will support players in their individual decisions whether to return to India or not,” said a CA spokesman.

“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.”

Fellow World Test championship contenders Josh Inglis (Punjab) and Mitchell Marsh (Lucknow Super Giants) are in teams contending for play-off berths.

Marsh, who lost his Test place this summer, has been a tournament surprise packet.

Six venues will be used in the new IPL schedule in southern and central India and deliberately well away from the hostile border with Pakistan.

The Australian government currently advises tourists to show a high degree of caution if visiting India.

Originally published as How IPL resumption could impact Australia’s World Test Championship plans, which Aussie cricketers will return to India