AUS vs IND: David Warner officially ruled out of the first Test

The Australian team has received a huge setback with their most-experienced opening batsman David Warner being ruled out of the first Test against India. The left-handed batsman suffered a groin strain in the second ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground and was subsequently ruled out of the final ODI and the following three-match T20I series, which India won 2-1.

“I feel I have made great progress in a short amount of time and it’s best for me to stay here in Sydney to continue working on getting back to full fitness,” Warner said.

“The injury feels a lot better, but I need to be able to satisfy in my own mind and to my team-mates that it is 100 per cent ready for Test match conditions.

“That includes running between the wickets and being agile in the field. Right now, I feel I am short of being able to play at peak fitness and another 10 days will make a difference,” Warner added.

Australia lost their last Test series against India at home where they were playing without David Warner and Steve Smith. Now they will once again start the upc0oming Test series without Warner. This compounds Australia’s problems at the top since the other opening aspirant Will Pucovski was also hit on the head in the recently-concluded practice match. Joe Burns is now the only specialist opening batsman in the Test squad.

Warner is hopeful of making a return in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The first Test between Australia and India, which will be a day-night affair, will commence at the Adelaide Oval on December 17.