In case you are wondering what happened to Australia’s cricketers after the disaster of the South African tour you can find most of them in India.
With the exception of two Aussie openers and one former captain, Australia’s best players have joined the latest edition of the Indian Premier League.
The Indian Premier League continues to draw some of the best players in international cricket including a number of Australia’s leading players from Big Bash sides.
The Mumbai Indians are the reigning IPL champions and will be looking to become the first back to back winners of the competition since the Chennai Super Kings accomplished the feat in 2011.
Even without David Warner the Sunrisers remain one of the early favourites for the title with a wealth of T20 experience across their line-up.
We’ve analysed the squads and our predications for this edition of the IPL can be found below.
Chennai Super Kings
The Super Kings return to the competition this year after a two-year absence for match-fixing and Kiwi Stephen Fleming has the tough task of ensuring that the Super Kings are competitive after their extended hiatus from the competition.
The Chennai side boasts one of the more experienced line-ups in the competition and are led by former Indian skipper MS Dhoni.
Their squad includes Indian stars Suresh Raina, Ravi Jadeja and Harbhajan Singh. They are set to be joined by South African skipper Faf Du Plessis and quick bowler Lungisani Ngidi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yV4lCAZawq0
Delhi Daredevils
Australian Ricky Ponting coaches a Daredevils side that includes all-rounders Dan Christian, Chris Morris and short form specialists Jason Roy and Colin Munro.
Glenn Maxwell promises to provide the x-factor for a side that also includes South African paceman Kagiso Rabada and Trent Boult.
The Daredevils have traditionally struggled in the competition and Ponting will have his hands full after winning the title with the Mumbai Indians in 2017.
Kings XI Punjab
Aussie coach Brad Hodge leads a side that includes some of the biggest names in T20 cricket. Aaron Finch, Chris Gayle and Yuvraj Singh are some of the biggest names in T20 cricket and they will be joined by the likes of international bowlers Mohit Sharma and Andrew Tye.
West Indies veteran Chris Gayle has shown that he is still one of the most feared ball strikers in the game after hitting a century for the West Indies in the World Cup qualifier and is hard to stop once he has his eye in.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Aussie Simon Katich will be sure to install some discipline in a side that hasn’t won the domestic title since 2014.
The Knight Riders boast T20 master blaster Chris Lynn in their line-up along with Sunil Narine. The Knight Riders will miss the likes of Mitchell Starc who is under an injury cloud after a long tour of South Africa.
The Knight Riders have been bolstered with the inclusions of veterans Andre Russell, Sunil Narine and Mitchell Johnson. The Australian quick is coming off an impressive campaign with the Perth Scorchers
Mumbai Indians
The defending champions have a line-up that is filled with match winners lead by Indian one-day vice-captain Rohit Sharma.
Pat Cummins will spearhead the bowling attack after an Ashes campaign and South African tour.
The side is boosted with local talents Hardik Pandya Jaspit Burmah. The Indians have also included T20 veterans Kieron Pollard and Jean-Paul Duminy in their side and will be difficult to beat as they look to claim back to back IPL titles.
Rajasthan Royals
While the Royals will be without former Australian skipper Steve Smith they have plenty options to cover the loss of the best Test batsman in world cricket.
English all-rounder Ben Stokes will be looking to put a tough Summer behind him with a big performance in the tournament.
The English all-rounder only recently returned to the one-day set-up and will look to use the early rounds to blow off the cobwebs.
Jos Buttler and D’Arcy Short will be looking to continue their outstanding BBL form and Jofra Archer is one of the best quick bowlers in the game. If their international players can fire early then the Royals will be in the mix for the 2018 title.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
The Challengers are the Manchester United of the competition and are led by Indian skipper Virat Kohli.
Their international stars include Brendon McCullum, Quinton De Kock and South African sensation AB de Villiers.
The Challengers will rely on the likes of Tim Southee and Chris Woakes to take the wickets and will start the competition as one of the early favourites for the competition.
If Kohli can replicate his international form at the domestic level then the Challengers will be competitive at the business end of the tournament.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
The Sunrisers will miss the leadership of Aussie opener David Warner. Warner led the Sunrisers to the 2016 title and remains one of the most devastating players in the competition.
In the absence of Warner expect New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson to lend his considerable international experience to the side that also includes England international Chris Jordan and West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite.
Shikhar Dhawan will open the innings at the top of the order and the Indian opener can score a few runs then the Sunrisers will challenge for the title.