Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting says Australia’s Mitchell Marsh remains on course to play at the T20 World Cup despite being likely ruled out of the rest of the IPL.

Marsh, who is expected to captain Australia in T20’s showpiece event in the West Indies and the United States starting on 1 June, returned home after playing just four matches for Delhi in the IPL.

“I don’t think he would be coming back [to India],” Ponting told reporters on Monday. “Cricket Australia were really keen to have Mitchell at home to start his recovery process, so we sent him back as soon as we could.”

The former Australia captain added: “They have been managing his rehab over the last couple of weeks now. I spoke to him the other day, it seems like it has taken a little bit longer than he first thought, to get over it.

“I don’t think the World Cup will be an issue but I think it will be hard to see him coming back here at the back end of this tournament.”

The 32-year-old Marsh suffered a partial tear in his right hamstring after he scored just 61 runs and claimed one wicket from four matches.

The all-rounder has played 54 T20Is for Australia.

This year’s IPL ends on 26 May with the final in Chennai.

© Agence France-Presse

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