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Cricket Australia announced on Wednesday that pacer Mitchell Starc and all-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis will miss the T20I series in India due to their respective injuries. Nathan Eliss, Daniel Sams, Sean Abbott are set to replace the injured trio for the India tour next week.
Mitchel Marsh injured his ankle while Marcus Stoinis suffered a side strain during the ODI series against Zimbabwe. After a scan on his knee in Sydney on Wednesday, Australia decided to rest pacer Mitchell Starc as well.
Aussie star batter David Warner was also rested for the India series while he along with Marsh and Stoinis are expected to return to the Australia squad for the home T20I series against West Indies and England after the conclusion of India T20I series.
In a statement, Cricket Australia said, "The injuries to the trio are minor, but with the travel involved for three games in three separate cities in six days in India, Australia has taken a cautious approach with their T20 World Cup campaign due to start on October 22 when they face New Zealand at the SCG."
In the absence of Marsh, Steve Smith is expected to play at number three while Tim David could make his Australia debut against India. On the other hand, Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel will return to the Indian squad after missing the Asia Cup 2022 due to injuries while Mohammad Shami will also return to the Indian side.
India and Australia will face each other for the three-match T20I series taking place from September 20 to 25.
Australia's updated Squad for India tour:
Aaron Finch (captain), Cameron Green, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade (wk), Tim David, Josh Inglis (wk), Ashton Agar, Nathan Eliss, Daniel Sams, Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Kane Richardson