The Indian team will leave for the US for the Twenty20 World Cup on May 21, the day after the league stage of the Indian Premier League (IPL) ends. Cricbuzz understands that the players, who won't be a part of the teams that qualify for the IPL play-offs, will be travelling with the first batch, which includes all the members of Rahul Dravid's support staff. The second batch will fly to the US after the completion of the IPL final on May 26.

The team will fly to New York, where it is slated to play three league matches - on June 5 (vs Ireland), June 9 (vs Pakistan) and June 12 (vs hosts USA). The initial plan is to have a camp in New York and the International Cricket Council (ICC) is arranging practice facilities at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, 30 km from Manhattan. There will be about six drop-in practice pitches for the side.

Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has said its players, participating in the IPL, will have to reach home before May 22. England will be involved in a four-match series against Pakistan and the English board's diktat means many English players will not be available for their franchises for the IPL play-offs, which begin on May 21.

"Selected players, currently playing in the Indian Premier League, will return in time for the series against Pakistan, which gets underway at Headingley on Wednesday 22", May 2024," the ECB stated.

Going by the current IPL points table, Rajasthan Royals, who have virtually assured themselves of a berth in the knockouts, will miss star opener Jos Buttler. Kolkata Knight Riders, who are currently in the second place, may miss Phil Salt.

Should Punjab Kings (in eighth place) make it to the top four, they will miss Liam Livingston, Sam Curran and Jonny Bairstow and Chennai Super Kings, who stand a good chance to make the grade, will have to do without Moeen Ali. Royal Challengers (currently at the bottom of the table) have Reece Topley and Will Jacks but they have quite a task to reach the last-four stage.

A franchise official criticised the ECB's decision to recall their players before the business end of the IPL. "They will have enough time to play two matches, post the IPL final -- whichever player is involved, maximum one or two -- and then play against Pakistan in two T20Is, on May 28 and 30, and still leave on June 2 for the World Cup (as per their plan), with players properly prepped at the IPL. As if playing in England in May is going to reflect the Caribbean conditions. It freezes in England in May."

An ECB spokesperson added, "The Pakistan series is important preparation for the England Men's team ahead of the ICC T20 Men's World Cup, so it's important we have the squad available. We've been discussing availability with our players and a number of the franchises."