After completing a 5-0 ODI whitewash of Pakistan in the UAE, top Australian players started arriving in India in Monday to reinforce their respective IPL franchises.
Defending World Cup champions Australia are on an incredible run in 50 overs cricket, registering eight wins in a row against India and Pakistan in their backyard. And architects of those wins will be hoping to replicate that form in the IPL.
Left-arm fast bowler Jason Behrendorff and hard-hitting lower order batsman Ashton Turner were among the first Australian players to arrive in India from the UAE assignment. Behrendorff adds another left-arm pace option to Mumbai Indians while Turner will be hoping to provide the finishing flourish at Rajasthan Royals.
"Duniya hila denge!" 👊🏻
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 1, 2019
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However, the most crucial arrivals will be of all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile, who will be needed to arrest the alarming slide in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s season.
RCB were thrashed by 118 runs in the previous game against Sunrisers Hyderabad with both their bowling and batting exposed. The two Aussies offer some much needed quality pace options while Stoinis also beefs up the lower order batting. Both will arrive by Monday evening.
However, other top Australian players won’t be available this season. Star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and skipper Aaron Finch had already made themselves unavailable for the season, keeping the 2019 World Cup preparations in mind. Fast bowler Pat Cummins also won’t feature as Australia look to protect their most prized asset.
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