Yorkshire cricketers, Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow will be hoping for a safe return to England following the indefinite suspension of the IPL season.

The decision to stop play was made after Covid-19 cases in India passed 20 million, with 357,229 reported in the last 24 hours.

No restart date has been announced, with the regular season initially due to end on May 23, and the final set to take place on May 30.

Along with fellow England players who were competing in India, the the Yorkshire County Cricket pairing could now be in contention to take part in a five-day series against New Zealand at the start of June, as well as a potential return to County Championship action, if they can safely return to England.

Malan, who was competing at the IPL for the first time in his career, had only played once this season for Punjab Kings.

His singular appearance came on Sunday, where he hit 26 runs in a seven-wicket defeat against Delhi Capitals.

Meanwhile, Bairstow had been in good form for Sunrisers Hyderabad, scoring 248 in seven games, including two half centuries.

The Sunrisers were one of four IPL teams who have recorded positive for Covid-19.