Australian opener David Warner and pacer Sean Abbott were on Wednesday ruled out of the second Test against India starting December 26 due to a combination of strict bio-secure protocols and Warner's unhealed groin injury.

Australia's cricket board confirmed earlier today that David Warner will not be available for selection for the Boxing Day Test. After he suffered a calf injury during the warm-up game against India ahead of the Test series, all-rounder Sean Abbott was ruled out of the first match as well. "Cricket Australia's bio-security protocols do not allow them to rejoin the squad in time for the Boxing Day test. Warner has not fully recovered from a groin injury suffered in the ODI Series against India and would not have been available for the second test. Abbott has recovered from a calf strain sustained during Australia A's tour match against India and would have been available for selection for the Boxing Day test," Cricket Australia mentioned in a statement. David Warner had injured his adductor muscle in the second ODI against India and had to sit out of the third ODI and the T20I series as well.

Cricket Australia added that "no additional players will be added to the squad for the Boxing Day Test" and "David Warner and Sean Abbott will rejoin the Australian men's Test squad ahead of the third Test against India." Due to the fresh outbreak of COVID-19 cases in Sydney, it is speculated that the Cricket Australia might scrap the Sydney Test set to begin on January 7 and conduct back-to-back matches in Melbourne.