Following a threat by extreme right wing political party Shiv Sena to prevent the Australians from playing in Mumbai, Australian cricketers will be asked to follow stringent security measures during this year's Indian Premier League, such as not venturing out of their hotels alone or wearing national uniforms and other clothing identifying their nationality.
The Sydney Morning Herald quoted the boss of security for the IPL, Bob Nicholls, as saying that if the Shiv Sena threat develops then specific plans for Australian players would be used.
"At the moment there doesn't seem to be any acts of violence happening against Australians in India. The time that we would be most concerned about is when they are out and about on their own, we will be giving them a list of dos and don'ts," he said.
"It is pretty straightforward, the greater risk is if people are going out on their own rather than in a team environment, and not to go out advertising that they are Aussies, wearing Aussie shirts. The same advice has been given to the Australian hockey team for the World Cup," he added.
Security experts have warned of a possible terrorist attack during the IPL and the level of threat has been described as similar to that around the time of the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008.
Twenty-one Australian players listed to play in next month's IPL include Shane Watson, Cameron White, David Hussey, David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Ryan Harris, Dirk Nannes and Shaun Tait.
Nicholls's company Nicholls Steyn & Associates is in charge of player security for the tournament - they have previously arranged security for cricket's World Cups and Champions Trophy - and will station a 'representative' with each franchise.
