Aussie guns all set for IPL action

The number of Australians taking part in this year's Indian Premier League has taken a hit in the past week but there remains no shortage of talent from Down Under on show, and Kolkata Knight Riders are set to unleash two of the most explosive of the lot when their campaign begins on April 8.

KFC Big Bash superstar Chris Lynn has told cricket.com.au he is all set for KKR's opener against the star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore next Sunday night, having recovered sufficiently from a dislocated shoulder suffered during the recent T20I tri-series with Australia.

Lynn will be accompanied by Mitchell Johnson, whose stocks have risen somewhat given a leg injury to Mitchell Starc has ruled the Aussie spearhead out of the tournament.

"Johnson's played a lot at the IPL and won two championships (with Mumbai Indians)," said KKR CEO Venky Mysore.

"He's an outstanding bowler – you saw how he bowled at the Big Bash.

"He's still fit, still bowling 145-plus and is an experienced campaigner.

"So, at least in the initial stage we won't miss Starc, but we're looking at replacements."

Lynn's history of shoulder problems has led to the Queenslander practising in the nets recently with a specially-designed shoulder stabiliser that rugby league star Johnathan Thurston has given him.

"The docs and the physios are happy so that's all I can do," Lynn told cricket.com.au on March 23. "Fingers crossed I can keep going in the right direction … I'm doing everything I can to get back out there.

"I've had a bat during the week just on throwdowns, so I'll ramp it up against 'Cuttsy' (Ben Cutting) and Billy Stanlake. If I can get through those two blokes, I'll know I'm going OK."

Elsewhere in India, BBL|07 player of the tournament D'Arcy Short has touched down in Rajasthan ahead of his maiden season in the prestigious competition.

Short took the Big Bash by storm in the summer, hammering the highest-ever score (122no) and a record number of runs (572) to gain Australian selection in the format.

He impressed at international level, too, making 196 runs at 49 in Australia's tri-series triumph over New Zealand and England.

The big Aussie buys for IPL 2018 ($AUD)

Chris Lynn (Kolkata Knight Riders) - $1.86m

Glenn Maxwell (Delhi Daredevils) - $1.75m

Andrew Tye (Kings XI Punjab) - $1.4m

Aaron Finch (Kings XI Punjab) - $1.2m

Marcus Stoinis (Kings XI Punjab) - $1.2m

Patrick Cummins (Mumbai Indians) - $1.05m

Shane Watson (Chennai Super Kings) - $775,000

D'Arcy Short (Rajasthan Royals) - $775,000

Ben Cutting (Mumbai Indians) - $426,000

Nathan Coulter-Nile (Royal Challengers Bangalore) - $426,000

Mitchell Johnson (Kolkata Knight Riders) - $388,000

Dan Christian (Delhi Daredevils) - $291,000

Ben Dwarshuis (Kings XI Punjab) - $271,000

Billy Stanlake (Sunrisers Hyderabad) - $97,000

Ben Laughlin (Rajasthan Royals) - $97,000