Australian Players Will Not Leave IPL 2026 for Pakistan ODIs, Cricket Australia Confirms
Cricket Australia has officially confirmed that players currently active in IPL 2026 will not be required to leave their franchises for the three-match ODI series against Pakistan starting May 30 in Rawalpindi. This includes national captain Pat Cummins, who is representing Sunrisers Hyderabad this season.
The decision has massive implications at both ends. Pakistan are set to host Australia in a series they’ve been building towards, while IPL franchises get to keep their biggest overseas names right through to the business end of the tournament.
The IPL league phase wraps up on May 24. The IPL 2026 schedule has the final locked in for May 31 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which is literally one day after the first ODI in Rawalpindi. The overlap makes it near impossible for playoff-bound players to be at both places.
Who Is Staying Back for the IPL?
Here’s a full look at Australian players currently in the IPL and the status of their franchises:
| Player | IPL Franchise | Franchise Status | Pakistan ODIs? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Cummins | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Top 4 contender | Will miss |
| Travis Head | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Top 4 contender | Will miss |
| Josh Hazlewood | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Strong playoff push | Will miss |
| Tim David | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Strong playoff push | Will miss |
| Cooper Connolly | Punjab Kings | Playoff contender | Will miss |
| Xavier Bartlett | Punjab Kings | Playoff contender | Will miss |
| Marcus Stoinis | Delhi Capitals | 7th, fighting for playoffs | Uncertain |
| Cameron Green | Kolkata Knight Riders | 8th, fighting for playoffs | Uncertain |
| Mitchell Starc | Kolkata Knight Riders | 8th, fighting for playoffs | Uncertain |
| Josh Inglis | Lucknow Super Giants | 10th, almost eliminated | Likely to join |
| Matthew Short | Chennai Super Kings | Uncertain | Uncertain |
SRH is sitting comfortably near the top of the IPL 2026 points table, meaning Cummins and Head are almost certain to stay in India until at least the playoffs. A source inside SRH confirmed to PTI: “Yes, we have received communication that the Australian players in our squad will stay back for the IPL.”
Why This Decision Makes Sense for Cricket Australia
CA’s call isn’t just about the IPL money or player requests. There’s a bigger picture here.
Reports from The West Australian suggest Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc were likely to miss the Pakistan series regardless, as all three are managing their workloads after a long Ashes campaign. Hazlewood in particular has been recovering from injury. Cummins has played just two ODIs since Australia won the 2023 World Cup, so this series was never really in his plans.
The players most affected by the IPL clash are those in playoff-chasing franchises. For the others, like Inglis at LSG, the situation is simpler since Lucknow’s chances of making the knockouts have all but faded.
Who Could Still Make It to Pakistan?
Not everyone on this list is guaranteed to stay back. A few names could realistically link up with the Australian squad before the first ODI:
- Josh Inglis (LSG) if Lucknow finishes outside the top four, which looks increasingly likely
- Mitchell Marsh (DC) and Cameron Green (KKR) if their franchises don’t make the playoffs
- Mitchell Starc could also be released if KKR exit early
DC sit seventh on the table with eight points from 10 games. KKR are eighth with seven from nine. If neither pushes through, Australia gets a few familiar faces back for the Pakistan tour. Check the full IPL 2026 squads page to track which players are still active.
The Pakistan Series at a Glance
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | May 30 | Rawalpindi |
| 2nd ODI | June 2 | Lahore |
| 3rd ODI | June 4 | Lahore |
This is Australia’s first ODI tour of Pakistan since 2022, when Pakistan won the series 2-1. Earlier in 2026, Australia toured Pakistan for a T20I assignment and were swept 3-0 in Lahore. The ODI series gives Pakistan another crack at the Aussies, and with a weakened touring side, they’ll fancy their chances.
Players like Alex Carey, Adam Zampa, Marnus Labuschagne, and Nathan Ellis, who either missed the IPL or were recently involved in the PSL, are expected to be available. These fringe players now get a real shot at ODI spots.
What Happens After Pakistan?
The players skipping Pakistan won’t go quiet for long. Most of the IPL contingent is expected to link up with the Australian squad for the Bangladesh tour, which begins June 9 with three ODIs and three T20Is. That series also gives the CA setup a proper look at their white-ball depth before the bigger assignments later in the year.
For those following the IPL playoff race closely, keep an eye on the live streaming guide for the knockout fixtures. The next few weeks will settle which Aussies stay on and which ones book flights to Islamabad.
It’s also worth noting that the SRH squad and fixtures page has full details on when Cummins and Head are next in action. SRH’s remaining games will determine whether they enter the playoffs as leaders or fight through the eliminator route.
FAQs
Will Pat Cummins play in the Pakistan ODI series?
Almost certainly not. Cricket Australia has confirmed he can stay back for IPL 2026, and SRH are in strong playoff contention, meaning he’ll be in India through at least the knockout stage.
When does the Pakistan vs Australia ODI series start?
The three-match ODI series starts on May 30 in Rawalpindi, followed by the 2nd and 3rd ODIs on June 2 and 4 in Lahore.
Why are Australian players skipping Pakistan ODIs?
The IPL 2026 final is on May 31, one day after the first Pakistan ODI begins. CA has granted exemptions to players whose franchises are in playoff contention so they can honour their IPL commitments.
Which Australian IPL players might still go to Pakistan?
Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, and Mitchell Starc could potentially join the squad if their franchises (LSG, DC, KKR) fail to make the playoffs.
Who will play for Australia in Pakistan without the IPL stars?
Fringe players like Alex Carey, Adam Zampa, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Ellis, and Matthew Renshaw are expected to feature in the Pakistan ODI series.
Will the Australian IPL players return for the Bangladesh tour?
Yes. Players staying back for the IPL are expected to rejoin the Australian squad in Bangladesh, where three ODIs and three T20Is are scheduled from June 9.
