With the cash-rich IPL all set to begin next month in the UAE, majority franchises have been hit by a problem, this time its the unavailability of the Australian players. It is expected that players like Steve Smith, David Warner, Aaron Finch, Pat Cummins will miss a couple of matches at least due to COVID-19 protocol.

Incidentally, the Australian side will be touring England for three T20Is and three ODIs before the start of the IPL. Thirteen Australian players will miss out as franchises have been put into a spot of bother. The most affected franchise will be Rajasthan Royals as Steve Smith is all set to captain them this season. With Smith missing out in first few games, the Royals will have to look for a stand-in captain.

Australian players to miss start of IPL 2020

The players who will miss out are Steve Smith – Andrew Tye (RR), David Warner (SRH), Aaron Finch (RCB), Pat Cummins (KKR), Glenn Maxwell (KXIP), Mitchell Marsh (SRH), Kane Richarson – Josh Phillipe (RCB), Alex Carey – Marcus Stoinis (DC), Josh Hazlewood (CSK).

The T20Is will take place in England on 4, 6 and 8 of September followed by three ODIs on 11, 13 and 16 of September. The Rajasthan Royals head coach Andrew Mcdonald, who is also the assistant coach of Australia will skip the tour to be part of IPL.

Meanwhile, after a delay of over five months, the IPL is all set to begin in the UAE on 19th September. With the Australian players missing out on first few games, franchisees will have to strategize accordingly and look to build a different combination until those players return back to the UAE.

All players who return back will remain in isolation for seven days in which they will undergo three COVID-19 tests. Only if all three tests return negative, they will join their squads and resume training.