There are a few more hours left for the IPL to start. Before that, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) got the big bad news. Due to injury, the team’s two Australian cricketers Maxwell and Hazlewood are not getting them from the beginning. Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed the injury in a statement on Friday (March 31).

Josh Hazlewood was already suffering from a foot injury. Due to this the Aussie pacer could not play in the recently concluded ODI series against India. Hazelwood will not be able to play in the IPL even if the Australian medical staff has cleared various tests. So he will not be seen in the first match against Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Maxwell, who broke his leg on his friend’s birthday last November, returned from injury but was not fit to play. As a result, when the situation is created to play, then this Aussie all-rounder will come to the field. However, Maxwell continues to practice with RCB.

Apart from the two Australia cricketers in the RCB team, foreign players include Faf du Plessis, Wannidu Hasaranga, Finn Allen, David Willey, Race Topley, and Mitchell Bracewell.

A total of 11 Australian cricketers are playing in this year’s IPL. Chennai will face defending champions Gujarat in the first match on Friday.