Ricky Ponting confirms Mitch Marsh out for rest of IPL; Glenn Maxwell steps away after tough start

Australian all-rounder Mitch Marsh’s hopes of returning to the IPL have been dashed as Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting confirmed that Marsh will miss the rest of the tournament to focus on recovering from a hamstring injury in time for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Ponting revealed that Cricket Australia wanted Marsh back home to start his rehabilitation process, and it seems that the injury has taken longer to heal than initially expected. Despite missing the IPL, Marsh is expected to lead Australia at the World Cup in June, with the hamstring issue not expected to affect his participation.

Marsh’s absence adds to the concerns for Australia’s IPL contingent, with Glenn Maxwell taking a break after a poor run of form, Cameron Green struggling, and Mitchell Starc facing criticism for his performances. However, there have been some bright spots, with Travis Head impressing with his recent scores and young gun Jake Fraser-McGurk making a strong case for World Cup selection with his explosive batting.

Maxwell, who has struggled with his form this season, made the decision to step away from playing in the last two games to give himself a mental and physical break. He acknowledged his poor performances and the team’s overall struggles, hoping that his absence will give someone else the opportunity to shine.

As the IPL continues and the T20 World Cup approaches, Australian fans will be keeping a close eye on their players’ performances and hoping for a strong showing on the international stage.