Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson are the latest foreign cricketers to pull out of the Indian Premier League amidst the country's current COVID-19 crisis ©Getty Images

Australian cricketers Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson have become the latest players to pull out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) amidst the current pandemic crisis in the country.

With uncertainty over travel restrictions being imposed between India and Australia, both are returning home for "personal reasons", according to their team, Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The players have left the IPL bubble but remain in Mumbai, according to Cricbuzz, as Australia is not currently accepting flights from India in response to the high infection rate and new varients.

Their compatriot Andrew Tye, the Rajasthan Royals bowler, flew back to Australia on Sunday (April 25).

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who plays for Delhi Capitals, announced on social media on Sunday that he would be "taking a break" from the IPL season to support his family as India has been suffering 350,000 new infections and almost 3,000 deaths each day during a second wave of the COVID-19 virus.

It is believe that the death toll could be far higher than the Government is reporting.

England batsman Liam Livingstone left the Royals last week just before Britain imposed a travel clampdown on India.

Australia's Adam Zampa, pictured, and his compatriot Zane Richardson have pulled out of the Indian Premier League amidst the current COVID-19 crisis ©Getty Images
Australia's Adam Zampa, pictured, and his compatriot Zane Richardson have pulled out of the Indian Premier League amidst the current COVID-19 crisis ©Getty Images

A handful of players, including India’s Axar Patel, tested positive for coronavirus before the tournament.

The world's richest cricket league has faced criticism for continuing in empty stadiums during the crisis, with a leading newspaper group which owns the New Indian Express accusing it of "commercialism gone crass" as it suspended coverage on Sunday.

IPL organisers were anxious to hold the tournament - said to generate billions of dollars for the Indian economy - after last year's event was moved to the United Arab Emirates because of the pandemic risk.

Australia’s Pat Cummins, one of the most expensive foreign imports into the league, said he had felt "helpless" watching events in India and announced he was donating $50,000 (£36,000/€41,000) to buy oxygen equipment.

"There has been quite a bit of discussion over here as to whether it is appropriate for the IPL to continue while Covid-19 infection rates remain high," the Kolkata Knight Riders bowler said on Twitter.

"I am advised that the Indian government is of the view that playing the IPL while the population is in lockdown provides a few hours of joy and respite each day at an otherwise difficult situation for the country."