Big Blow for Australia as David Warner ruled out of first India Test

Australia’s star in-form opening batsman David Warner has been ruled out of the first Test Match against India, but will try to return for the blockbuster second game on Boxing Day.

Warner, who is recovering from a strained adductor muscle that forced him to limp out of Australia’s second one-day international against India last month, after a knock of 83.

“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,” the 34-year-old told.

It is not yet clear who will take Warner’s place in Adelaide, but Cameron Green’s century this week for Australia A against a strong India A attack — featuring Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj — has put him in the running.

Coach Justin Langer expressed his confidence that Warner would be back for the second Test: “If there is one guy you know will go well above and beyond that’s Dave,” he said.

The day-night first Test will begin in Adelaide on December 17, kicking off a four-match test series.

Last time when India Toured Australia two years ago India triumphed 2-1 for their first Test series win in Australia, during that time Warner and Steve Smith were serving a ban for ball-tampering.