Aussie stars Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson managed to land in their homeland's second-largest city Melbourne earlier this week after using a travel loophole via Doha which has now been closed.

The country's prime minister, Scott Morrison, commented that the route, plus others through Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur and neighboring Singapore, have now been shut down to complete a total ban on all travel from India – which is currently reeling from a collapse of its public healthcare system to become one of the world's most affected countries by Covid. 

Going a step further to halt returns, the Australian government rolled out an emergency bill that sees anyone landing on their territory from the subcontinent nation – which recorded a record 400,000 new coronavirus cases on Saturday – hit with a jail term of up to five years behind bars or fines able to reach US$51,000.

At present, 34 Australian cricket figures are "stranded" in India, according to the Daily Mail, where they are part of the hugely popular Premier League (IPL).

Among them are 12 players, including national team members Pat Cummins, David Warner and disgraced former captain Steve Smith, plus 11 coaches such as former legends Ricky Ponting, Simon Katich and David Hussey.

Two commentators are there as well, in addition to two umpires, five support staff, and a Kiwi commentator from New Zealand who resides in Australia.