Australian had suffered a double blow ahead of the third test in India, with fast-bowler Josh Hazlewood jetting back home with his Achilles tendonitis injury not healing in time to play, while David Warner has also been ruled out.

Opening-batsman Warner has suffered a double blow injury-wise, placed under concussion protocols to add to his problematic hairline fracture in his left elbow, with the Australian's confirming on Tuesday that the 36-year-old will head home.

"David Warner has been ruled out of the Qantas test tour of India and will return home," Cricket Australia said in a statement.

"Warner was struck on the elbow in the second Test in Delhi and sustained a hairline fracture.

"After further assessment, he will require a period of rehabilitation which will preclude any further involvement in the remainder of the Test series.

"It is currently anticipated that he will return to India for the three One-Day Internationals which follow the Test Series."

Head coach Andrew McDonald is set to mull over the ever-changing list, a squad now bereft of the depth it travelled with due to the scarcity of fully fit candidates putting their hand up for selection.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 27: David Warner of Australia celebrates his century during day two of the Second Test match in the series between Australia and South Africa at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

McDonald discussed the likelihood of left-hander Travis Head slotting in to replace Warner at the top of the order, with a touch of flare possibly the secret recipe to countering the Indians' attack.

"We did discuss before coming over here that if we were to lose an opening batter that Trav would be one we'd look to put up there. We feel in the subcontinental conditions that he can get off to the fast starts which he showed," McDonald said to cricket.com.au.

With the Australian captain flying home for family reasons on Monday, to join Mitchell Swepson who was granted permission to see the birth of his daughter, both are hopeful of a return before the Indore Test.

As it stands, India have currently retained the Border-Gavasker Trophy, leading 2-0 at the halfway point, but the Aussie fight will be on show for the remainder of the series as they look to even up the ledger.