Cricket Australia has decided to allow its players to complete their IPL 2026 commitments before joining the national team for the ODI series against Pakistan, which starts on May 30.
This means several Australian cricketers, including captain Pat Cummins, will miss the three-match ODI series as the IPL playoffs and final overlap with Australia’s tour schedule.
The IPL league stage ends on May 24, while the final is set to be played on May 31. Australia’s players were originally expected to reach Islamabad on May 23, right when the IPL enters its knockout phase.
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A source from Sunrisers Hyderabad confirmed the development to PTI.
“Yes, we have received communication that the Australian players in our squad will stay back for the IPL,” the source said.
Apart from Cummins, Sunrisers Hyderabad also have Travis Head in their squad. SRH are currently at the top of the points table with 14 points and are close to securing a playoff spot.
Several other Australian players are also involved in the IPL this season. Royal Challengers Bengaluru have Josh Hazlewood and Tim David, while Lucknow Super Giants feature Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis. Punjab Kings have Xavier Bartlett, Marcus Stoinis and Cooper Connolly. Chennai Super Kings signed Matthew Short, Delhi Capitals have Mitchell Starc, and Cameron Green is part of Kolkata Knight Riders.
Australian players featuring in IPL 2026 who likely to join Australia Squad
However, not all Australian players may stay till the end of the IPL. Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green could leave after the league phase if Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders fail to qualify for the playoffs. Delhi are currently seventh on the table with eight points from 10 matches, while KKR sit eighth with seven points from nine games.
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Lucknow Super Giants are struggling near the bottom of the standings with only four points from nine matches. Because of that, Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis may join the Australian squad in Pakistan before the first ODI.
Cricket Australia has not officially announced the squad for the Pakistan series yet.
Meanwhile, players from teams still strongly in the playoff race, such as Hazlewood, Tim David and Connolly, are expected to remain in India for the IPL knockouts.
The Australian players are likely to reunite with the national side in Bangladesh in the first week of June. Australia are scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20Is against Bangladesh starting June 9.