Australian captain Pat Cummins has opted not to partake in next year's Indian Premier League season due to a "packed" schedule of international cricket.
Cummins, who is tied to the Kolkata Knight Riders, is set to lead Australia's Test and One Day sides after recently being appointed the captain of the latter.
Australia are set for a trip to India in February next year to partake in a four-Test series and three ODI matches, preceding Australia's abroad Ashes series against England.
With the IPL season to begin in March, Cummins has confirmed he has decided to not represent Kolkata given the demands of representing his country in their upcoming red and white-ball series.
"I've made the difficult decision to miss next years IPL," Cummins tweeted on Tuesday morning.
"The international schedule is packed with Tests and ODI's for the next 12 months, so will take some rest ahead of an Ashes series and World Cup.
"Thanks so much to (the Kolkata Knight Riders) for their understanding. Such a terrific team of players and staff and I hope I can get back there ASAP."
Cummins has played 42 matches in the IPL since making his debut in 2014 and was signed to Kolkata at the recent league auction for a price of $1.34 million AUD.
