India vs. Australia: Setback For Aussies As David Warner Ruled Out Of T20Is; Doubtful For Tests

Australia’s explosive opener David Warner was ruled out of the upcoming third One-Day International (ODI) and three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series against India, Cricket Australia confirmed Monday.

Warner, who suffered a groin injury during Australia’s 51-run victory over India in the second ODI, has returned home to begin his rehab and will now race against time to regain full fitness for the much-awaited Test series, cricket.com.au reported.

The 34-year-old batsman has been in form, having scored 69 and 83 in the first two ODIs. Cricket Australia has confirmed that Western Australian batsman D'Arcy Short has joined the T20I squad ahead of Wednesday's third ODI in Canberra. In order to avoid any possible border closures ahead of his Big Bash League (BBL) commitments with the Hobart Hurricanes, Short flew over from Perth earlier and since has been training with the Australian national team.

Australia will also be without fast bowler Pat Cummins, but there are no injury concerns in his case. Australia coach Justin Langer has decided to rest him ahead of the day-night Test because the player has played non-stop through Australia's U.K. tour in August-September, the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the UAE, and the first two ODIs back home.

"Pat and Davie are critical to our plans for the Test series. Davie will work through his injury rehab and in Pat's case it is important all of our players are managed well to keep them mentally and physically fit throughout what is a challenging summer. The priority for both is being fully prepared for one of the biggest and most important home Test series we have played in recent years, especially with World Test Championship points up for grabs," Australia head coach Justin Langer was quoted by cricket.com.au, as saying.

With Australia having already sealed the ODI series, the third and final ODI that is scheduled to be played Wednesday at Canberra’s Manuka Oval will be a mere dead rubber. Virat Kohli's India and Australia are set to lock horns in the three-match T20I series, starting Friday. The four-Test Border-Gavaskar series is scheduled to begin Dec. 17 at the Adelaide Oval. The opening Test will be India’s first-ever overseas day-night Test. The other three Tests will be played in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.