Handscomb to join Australia squad as injured Finch's cover

The first match of the ODI series would be played at M A Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.

The Aussies had used all-rounder Hilton Cartwright as the opener in the warm-up game. He was however, dismissed for a second ball duck.

The 30-year-old Victorian is expected to miss the first three ODIs.

It remains to be seen if the visitors use Cartwright or push the left-handed Travis Head up the order for the first ODI.

Finch was rested from Australia's lone warm-up match against Board President's XI on Tuesday due to the right calf injury, which he first suffered playing for Surrey in England six weeks ago.

So much so that Australia has included batsman Peter Handscomb to the squad for the ODI tour of India as cover for injured opener Aaron Finch.

According to a report cricket.com.au, Handscomb will fly in as cover ahead of Sunday's series opener against India in Chennai.

Finch aggravated a calf injury during training on Thursday. A scan later revealed that he would need to sit out the early part of the five-match series.

There were initial fears that the injury might rule out Finch for the entire tour, but according to the report, the opener will remain with the squad with an aim to play in the later part of the series.

Handscomb, who returned to Melbourne following the recent Test tour of Bangladesh, would depart for India on Saturday and would be available for selection in the opening match of the series.

Unavailability of players has hit the India-Australia limited overs series even before the first ball is bowled.

Now, Australian opener Aaron Finch has been ruled out from the initial few ODIs and the intensity of his injury may affect his participation in the entire series.

On Thursday, Shikhar Dhawan was released by BCCI from the 16-member squad for the first three ODIs to spend time with his ailing wife.