IPL 2021: Australia travel ban has added to players' 'anxiety', says Pat Cummins

Organisers pulled plug on Indian Premier League on Tuesday amid huge surge in Covid-19 cases

A man carries a refilled cylinder as families of Covid-19 patients queue to refill their oxygen containers at Mayapuri in New Delhi, India. AP Photo

An Indian health worker takes a break while waiting to collect swab samples for Covid-19 tests in Hyderabad, India. AP Photo

The wife of Nanhe Pal, 52, cries as she pleads for oxygen support for her husband, who is suffering from breathing problems at a Gurudwara, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease, in Ghaziabad, India. Reuters

A health worker collects a nasal swab sample from a man to test for Covid-19 after police in rural areas launched a free cab service for villagers to the testing and vaccination centres on the outskirts of Amritsar. AFP

A woman who was turned away due to a shortage of Covid-19 vaccine argues with a doctor at a vaccination centre in Mumbai, India. AP Photo

People lower the body of 65-year-old Arnold Samuel Christian, who died from the coronavirus disease, into a grave at a cemetery in Ahmedabad, India. Reuters

Volunteers and relatives prepare to cremate the bodies of coronavirus victims at a crematorium g in Giddenahalli village on the outskirts of Bangalore, India. Reuters

The travel ban imposed by the Australian government on its own citizens stranded in Covid-ravaged India has added "anxiety" for its cricketers after the Indian Premier League's suspension, Australia vice captain Pat Cummins said.

Australia has barred its own citizens from returning home within 14 days of being in India on pain of heavy fines and jail, leaving dozens of its IPL players, coaches and officials to isolate in the Asian nation.

Fast bowler Cummins is isolating in an Ahmedabad hotel after two of his Kolkata Knight Riders teammates contracted Covid-19, forcing the cancelation of Monday's match against Royal Challengers Bangalore before organisers pulled the plug on the tournament on Tuesday.

Australia is currently allowing only limited flights and arrivals into the country, and roughly a quarter of the 35,000 Australians stranded overseas are in India.

Former Australia Test batsman Michael Slater slammed Australia's travel ban, accusing Prime Minister Scott Morrison of having "blood on your hands".

While Cummins was more measured in his response, he admitted the decision, which will be reviewed on May 15, had come as a "little bit" of a shock.

"Obviously no-one has experienced that before," he told Australian broadcaster Fox Sports.

"It added a bit of anxiety for a few of the Aussies over here. But we signed up to play the tournament until the start of June.

"Hopefully it all re-opens on May 15 and we’ll be able to get back."

With 3.45 million active cases, India recorded 357,229 new infections on Tuesday, while deaths rose by 3,449 to 222,408.

Cummins, one of the most expensive foreign imports into the league, last week announced he was donating $50,000 to buy oxygen equipment after the country faced a surge in coronavirus cases.

His latest comments came as the Delhi Capitals said their legspinner Amit Mishra had tested positive for Covid-19 and been moved to a designated medical facility.

Three IPL teams have now confirmed coronavirus cases, with a fourth team, Sunrisers Hyderabad, reported to have a positive test returned by wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha.

Indian media reported that the Chennai Super Kings' Australian batting coach Mike Hussey had also contracted Covid-19.

Hussey would be the third case on the team, which has gone into isolation after announcing on Tuesday that their bowling coach and a "member of the travel support" had tested positive.

English and Bangladeshi cricketers in the IPL also face challenges exiting India due to travel restrictions imposed by home authorities.

IPL organisers and the Indian cricket board (BCCI) have said they will help players, staff and officials get home safely.

New Zealand, which has 10 players in the IPL, said their cricketers were "in a relatively safe environment" and those within affected teams were in isolation.

The country's cricket board said it was liaising with authorities to work out an exit plan.