A number of Australian players have opted not to return to the IPL, but there will still be strong representation in the UAE and for some of them it is a vital lead in to the T20 World Cup. Here's a reminder of who will be taking part

David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

IPL so far Innings 6; Runs 193; Average 32.16; S/R 110.28
He is one of the key players in Australia's World Cup plans, but Warner lost the captaincy of Sunrisers and his place in the team shortly before the IPL was suspended. He questioned team selection before he was demoted while the tempo of his batting was proving problematic for a side that was top-order heavy with overseas batters. There may be a natural opening for him to return, however, with Jonny Bairstow withdrawing from the competition.

Steven Smith (Delhi Capitals)

IPL so far Innings 5; Runs 104; Average 26.00; S/R 111.82
Smith suffered a recurrence of his elbow problem during the first stint of the competition and has spent the last few months nursing himself back to fitness in pre-season training with New South Wales. He has steadily been increasing the volume of balls he hits at nets - which normally tallies into the hundreds for someone who loves batting - but the pressure of match scenarios could be the real test. He was not in the starting XI when the competition began before a couple of handy displays and it remains to be seen how he fits into the balance of Capitals' batting order.

Glenn Maxwell (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

IPL so far Innings 6; Runs 223; Average 37.16; S/R 144.80
After his forgettable returns in 2020, Maxwell had enjoyed a promising first half to the tournament in India as RCB found themselves in the top half of the table. A lot of Australia's hopes would appear to rest on Maxwell's shoulders with the bat because of the point-of-difference he can bring to the line-up so his form over the next few weeks will be watched closely.

Marcus Stoinis (Delhi Capitals)

IPL so far Innings 6; Runs 71; Average 23.66; S/R 144.89 | Wickets 2; Average 54.50; Econ 10.90
It is an interesting dynamic that the key role Stoinis could play in Australia's side - that of middle-order finishing - is being refined at the IPL rather than in the BBL where he bats in the top order for Melbourne Stars. Under Ricky Ponting's guidance at Capitals he has shown promise given a regular position lower down the order. Don't discount his bowling, either, especially if pace off the ball becomes important.

Josh Hazlewood (Chennai Super Kings)

IPL so far N/A
Hazlewood did not travel for the first part of the competition, opting to finish the season with New South Wales before spending time at home. He played eight of the T20Is on the recent tours of West Indies and Bangladesh, one of the most sustained periods in the format of his career, where he worked on developing cutters and changes which brought eight wickets in four games against Bangladesh.

Moises Henriques (Punjab Kings)

IPL so far Innings 2; Runs 16; Average 8.00; S/R 80.00| Wickets 1
Had limited chance to make an impact earlier in the year and then struggled on Australia's recent tours, especially in the tough conditions of Bangladesh and missed the World Cup squad. The delay to New South Wales' season means he will likely miss less domestic cricket than would have been the case.

Dan Christian (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

IPL so far Innings 3; Runs 3; Average 1.00; S/R 37.50
Christian, who was recalled to the Australia side for the first time in four years for the recent tours, hasn't made the 15 for the World Cup but will be among three travelling reserves. He couldn't get past 1 in the first stage of the tournament.

Chris Lynn (Mumbai Indians)

IPL so far Innings 1; Runs 49; S/R 140.00
Lynn made a decent start in Mumbai Indians' opening game but dropped out of the side when Quinton de Kock became available and spent the rest of the time warming the bench.

Ben Cutting (Kolkata Knight Riders)

IPL so far N/A
Like Lynn, Cutting does not have a state contact in Australia and was not used by his team in the first part of the competition. With Andre Russell, Sunil Narine and Shakib Al Hasan the all-round overseas options it's tricky to see where he fits in unless injury strikes.

Nathan Coulter-Nile (Mumbai Indians)

IPL so far Wicketless in one match
Another who has effectively become a T20 freelancer, Coulter-Nile is likely to find it tough to get a starting position.

And the new signings…

Nathan Ellis (Punjab Kings)

T20 record Matches 33; Wickets 38; Average 25.02; Econ 8.03
A hat-trick on international debut continued Ellis' rapid rise and followed two successful BBL seasons where he had already shown his skills at the death. With Kings needing replacements for Riley Meredith and Jhye Richardson there is a good chance he'll get game time. He is a reserve in the World Cup squad

Tim David (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

T20 record Innings 55; Runs 1420; Average 35.50; S/R 153.18 | Wickets 5; Average 53.20; Econ 8.96
Not an Australian (he was born in Singapore) but he is eligible for the national side and is getting noticed with his performances around the world. The last few months have taken him from the BBL to the PSL to the Hundred and the CPL before landing a replacement role at RCB.

Ben Dwarshuis (Delhi Capitals)

T20 record Matches 82; Wickets 100; Average 23.73; Econ 8.19
In 2017-18, left-arm quick Dwarshuis was included in the Australia squad for the T20I tri-series involving England and New Zealand. Though he didn't debut and hasn't featured since, he has remained a consistent performer in the BBL and last season was the joint second-leading wicket-taker as Sydney Sixers secured back-to-back titles.