Australia's stars to throw their hats in the ring for the IPL 'mega auction' could include Mitchell Starc, who is weighing in on his first stint in the lucrative league since 2015.
Widely regarded as one of the best white-ball bowlers in the world, Starc has repeatedly opted out of the world's premier Twenty20 competition to enjoy time at home.
The left-handed batsman is yet to take a final call on this year's IPL but made it clear on Wednesday that he is considering a comeback.
This year's auction is expected to take place in mid-February.
The gala event will be bigger than usual and will result in some record breaking salaries, as the IPL has added franchises in Lucknow and Ahmedabad.
"I have two days to finish my paperwork. It may be something I do today before training," Starc told reporters.
"I haven't named myself yet, but I have a few more days to decide on it.
"It's definitely on the table, no matter what schedule is coming up. I haven't had it in six years or so.
"Obviously with the heavy load towards T20s at the last minute and the World Cup coming up later this year, that's something to keep in mind as well."
The expansion of the IPL resulted in most players being dropped from their franchises.
Glenn Maxwell, who will return to Royal Challengers Bangalore after a productive campaign with the bat, was the only Australian made by his IPL club.
David Warner was memorably dropped after his ouster with Sunrisers Hyderabad, previously the face and captain of the franchise on a $2.3 million contract.
This year's IPL will follow Australia's three-Test tour of Pakistan, which is falling through the players' annual-vacation period and raising spectators of bubble fatigue.
Cricket Australia (CA) blessed some stars to sit out of T20 tours of West Indies and Bangladesh last year and then play the second leg of the IPL.
But they were unique circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the plan that helped Australia secure their maiden T20 World Cup title.
Meanwhile, Starc's well-known players were still digesting the security briefing he received recently about his proposed visit to Pakistan.
"It gives all the players time to process that information," he said.
"Obviously we have a Test match to play and perform this week. Then we'll move on to what happens next."