IPL overseas stars who might miss initial few matches [Source: AFP]The IPL 2026 season is just around the corner, and the official schedule has been released by the governing body. There is still time for the tournament to commence, but it looks like the IPL will commence with less star power at the start of the season, especially with so many stars injured, and unable.At present, the growing disruption in the Middle East has started to affect the travel of international cricketers, and the IPL may also be hampered due to the ongoing war between Israel and Iran.West Indies, South African players not to play IPL 2026 first half?Important transit hubs like Dubai and Doha temporarily restricted airspace, which caused travel plans of teams such as England, West Indies, and South Africa to become disorganized.The West Indies, and South African players have reached their homes, a week after their T20 World Cup campaign ended, and it was due to the travel route blockage due to the ongoing war.Thus, rising airfare prices and limited flights may make travel arrangements even more challenging for teams and organisers, and thus, international players might find it difficult to come to India on time for the IPL.The question arises: if the travel plans are disrupted, players from the West Indies and South Africa, who have already arrived late at their homes, may not come back to India on time, and here is a list of all such players who could miss the first half of the IPL season.List of South Africa, West Indies player who could miss first half of IPL 2026West Indian players in IPL 2026Romario Shepherd (RCB), Shimron Hetmyer (RR), Sherfane Rutherford (MI), Jason Holder (GT), and Akeal Hosein (CSK).South African players in IPL 2026Anrich Nortje (LSG), Quinton de Kock (MI), David Miller (DC), Lungi Ngidi (DC), Aiden Markram (LSG), Ryan Rickelton (MI), Corbin Bosch (MI), Kagiso Rabada (GT), Dewald Brevis (CSK), Tristan Stubbs (DC)Also Read: Overseas IPL 2026 Players Face Massive Setback Amid Iran-USA ConflictKey IPL players who could miss IPL first half due to injuriesHowever, not all players will miss the IPL 2026 first half due to travel issues. Two IPL franchises, SRH, and RCB, could miss the leader of their pace attack due to injuries.SRH could be without their skipper, Pat Cummins, for the upcoming season. The leader of the team, Cummins, has been out with a recurring back injury, and he also missed the majority of the Ashes 2025-26 campaign.Ever since the WTC finals, last year, Cummins has been nursing an injury, and his participation at the start of the season remains unclear as the franchise sweats hard on his fitness.Not only SRH, but reigning champions, RCB have also suffered a massive injury-jolt as their best pacer, Josh Hazlewood, is still sidelined due to an injury, and a recent report has stated that he could be doubtful to take part in the first half of the IPL 2026 season."He is still under physio care, whether he plays in the IPL depends on getting medical clearance. There’s still time but for now, it’s a wait & watch situation," a source told Hindustan Times.The other overseas stars who could miss the first half due to injuries are Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana and Wanindu Hasaranga. Pathirana suffered a calf-strain injury during the T20 World Cup, and Hasaranga had a hamstring injury.Also Read: 5 IPL 2026 Players Who Surprisingly Went Unsold In The Hundred Auction
