Some top cricketers have opted out of the IPL this year, including Australia's Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Mitchell Johnson.

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Michael Clarke, Mitchell Johnson and Brad Haddin all declined invitations to participate.

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Nathan Bracken, Brett Lee and Andrew Symonds will miss the first three weeks because of the ODI series against Pakistan, while Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and Mitchell Johnson have opted out entirely, preferring to concentrate on Ashes preparation.

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