All to prove: Smith, Warner face World Cup test in IPL | IOL

NEW DELHI – The big-bucks Indian Premier League begins on Saturday with disgraced Australian duo Steve Smith and David Warner back in action and looking to get some runs under their belts before the World Cup.

The bans did not include club games but IPL's governing council decided not to allow the banned duo in the 11th edition of the T20 league last year in a bid to stay clear of any controversy. Warner, now hipster-bearded, is expected to feature for Sunrisers Hyderabad along with Afghan spin sensation Rashid Khan and New Zealand's Kane Williamson against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday.

"Those guys have not played any high level cricket for a long time," Ponting told the Times of India newspaper, saying Smith and Warner "still have to prove they are the best players". Punjab spent big in the player auctions, snapping up little-known Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy for $1.2 million – making him the top buy along with Indian paceman Jaydev Unadkat, who went to the Royals.

Ponting told reporters in Delhi on Tuesday that he expected national selectors might "put restrictions" on some players, for example India and its fast bowlers, in the IPL's closing stages.

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