Finch, Maxwell to miss start of IPL 2018

MELBOURNE, Feb 15 (timesofindia.com): Big-hitting Australian batsman Aaron Finch is all set to miss Kings XI Punjab's opening match of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) as he is due to get hitched with partner Amy Griffiths on April 7.

The 31-year-old was brought by KXIP for Rs 62 million (6.2 crore) at the IPL 2018 auction in Bengaluru last month. Not only that, Finch's close friend and another swashbuckling batsman Glenn Maxwell will also skip his team Delhi Daredevils' opening fixture as he has been appointed to MC [Master of Ceremonies] the wedding.

Maxwell, who played for Punjab for four years, will now feature for DD after being purchased by the franchise for an enormous Rs 90 million (9 crore) during the auction last month.

IPL 2018 will kick-start from April 7 and the Australian duo was under the impression that the cash-rich tournament will get underway at a later date. KXIP will take on DD in their opening clash on April 9 at Feroz Shah Kotla.

Interestingly, both the IPL franchisees (DD and KXIP]) are coached by two former Australians who share a good rapport with Finch and Maxwell. Ricky Ponting will mentor Daredevils while Brad Hodge has a three-year contract with KXIP.