IPL 2024: Australia Sweat on Delhi Capitals Duo Mitchell Marsh & David Warner's Fitness Ahead of T20 World Cup

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Australia hit by fitness concerns to two key players Mitchell Marsh and David Warner ahead of T20 World Cup 2024 after the duo, who are part of the Delhi Capitals team, suffered injuries during the ongoing season of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.

While Marsh is battling a hamstring injury and recently flew back home to continue his rehabilitation, Warner injured his finger in last week's match. Both players will be key to Australia's challenge in the USA and Caribbean in June.

Marsh is expected to recover in time for Australia's first match at the T20 World Cup against Oman on June 5, but there is no clarity on if the 32-year-old will return to India and feature for the Delhi Capitals in the backend of the IPL 2024.

Marsh had managed scores of just 20, 23, 18 and 0, and also claimed just 1 wicket with an economy rate over 12 in four innings for Delhi Capitals before he suffered the hamstring issue.

Despite the poor form, Marsh is expected to be key to Australia's plans in the show-piece tournament. He is expected to be named the full time captain of the T20 side, having led the national team in the shortest format in recent series against West Indies and New Zealand.

Head coach Andrew McDonald indicated last month that Marsh was an obvious choice for the job after he performed well when leading the side in the matches earlier this year and late last year.

"I think all roads will lead to Mitch, so just got to get that ticked off in certain areas," McDonald was quoted as saying by ICC on the vacant T20 captaincy role last month following the away series in New Zealand.

"We're happy and comfortable with the way he's been able to operate with that T20 team. We think he's the leader for the World Cup, and I think that will just be a matter of due course."

Warner, on the other hand, will potentially be playing for the last time for the Australian national team, having already retired from the Test and ODI format. But the opener too has been hit with injury.

The southpaw was hit on the finger while batting for the Delhi Capitals against the Lucknow Super Giants on Friday (April 12), and his fitness is being monitored ahead of his side's next fixture against the Gujarat Titans on Wednesday (April 17).

Warner is likely to partner Travis Head in the openers slot at the T20 World Cup this year with Marsh batting at number three and also playing as a cover opener. However, Australia will hope the injuries don't hamper their T20 World Cup plans.