Australian cricketers and staff stranded in coronavirus-ravaged India will escape to the Maldives or Sri Lanka following the suspension of the Indian Premier league.
The lucrative IPL tournament featuring the some of world's biggest stars was suspended indefinitely on Tuesday after multiple players tested positive to coronavirus in recent days.
A 34-strong Australian cricket contingent remains in India including 14 players, 11 coaches, four commentators, two umpires and five support staff, as well as a commentator from New Zealand who lives in Australia.
David Warner, Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis and coach Ricky Ponting are among 9,000 Australians unable to return home until at least May 15 due to a travel ban enforced by the federal government.