The Australian newspaper reportd that Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, David Warner and Glenn Maxwell could be asked to give up their rich IPL contracts.
Australian cricketers may have to forego their lucrative IPL contracts in the wake of fast-spreading novel coronavirus, the local media reported in Melbourne on Tuesday.
The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League has been postponed till April 15 with India reporting more than 120 positive cases and three deaths.
Cricket Australia has not directed the players officially with its chief executive Kevin Roberts on Tuesday saying that players are individually contracted to their IPL teams and can make up their own minds to compete in the 2020 IPL or not, which has been postponed to April 15.
"We can provide advice. We are conscious of the fact that Australian players are individually contracted to the IPL and the time will certainly come very soon where players are going to be really interested and leaning on our perspective as their leader... to advise them in that regard," Roberts said.
"And then there will also be a perspective from the BCCI and their IPL division within that and together with our players and the BCCI, I am sure players will reach the best possible decisions in uncertain circumstances."
The Australian newspaper reported that Cricket Australia is reviewing whether it should permit its players to participate in the IPL or The Hundred series in the UK. There are 17 Australian players contracted with different IPL franchisees.
The report said that pacer Pat Cummins, former skipper Steve Smith, opener David Warner and all-rounder Glenn Maxwell could be asked to give up their rich contracts.
Cummins had become the highest paid overseas player in the history of the IPL with a contract worth US$ 3.2 million with Kolkata Knight Riders.
Maxwell received a $2.2 million contract with Kings XI Punjab. Cricket Australia has declared New South Wales the champions after scrapping the Sheffield Shield final.
