India vs Australia: Josh Hazlewood ruled out of tour due to Achilles injury

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Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the last two Test matches and the following ODI series against India after failing to properly recover from his Achilles injury which sidelined him from the first two Tests.

Hazlewood fails to recover on time

Hazlewood has been ramping up his bowling in training sessions in recent weeks but has failed to recover fully from the Achilles complaint. The 32-year-old pacer will now instead continue with his rehabilitation at home in Sydney.

An Australian team spokesperson said that Hazlewood is not expected to be available for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield.

Todd Murphy battling sore side

Further, off-spinner Todd Murphy, who made his debut during the first Test in Nagpur, is battling a sore side. However, Australia coach Andrew McDonald has expressed optimism that the 22-year-old would be right for the third Test beginning March 1 in Indore.

“He had a slight niggle in the side,” McDonald told reporters on Monday.

“It looks as though the timeframe between now and the next Test should be enough to resolve that.

“So he'll have not a test but he'll have a good workout two days before … it looks good.”

Cummins on his way back to Australia

Australia captain Pat Cummins is already on his way to Australia due to a serious family illness. But he is expected to be back on time for the third Test.

Earlier, Mitchell Swepson also left the squad ahead of the second Test for the birth of his first child. The leg-spinner will return to the group in preparation for the third Test.

Green and Starc to be available to 3rd Test

In a bit of good news for the visitors, all-rounder Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc are in line to play the third Test. Both the players are on the mend from serious finger injuries.

India won the second Test in Delhi by six wickets on Sunday to retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The home side has won the first Test in Nagpur by an innings and 132 runs.