Cricket Australia revealed on Wednesday that David Warner will be ruled out for the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, scheduled to start from December 26, 20202 ie; Boxing Day. 

It has been confirmed that the groin injury will keep star opener, David Warner, out of the Boxing Day Test as well

Will Australia stick with Matthew Wade and Joe Burns at the top of the order in Warner's absence? 🧐#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/NT2Us0xbDe

— ICC (@ICC) December 23, 2020

“It has been confirmed that the groin injury will keep star opener, David Warner, out of the Boxing Day Test as well,” ICC tweeted recently.

The groin injury during the second ODI between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground turned out to me more severe than most expected. It ruled Warner out from the rest of the limited overs matches during India’s tour Down Under, including one more ODI, and three T20I games.

© Reuters

Warner was expected to return to the field after the first Test but according to the CA reports, that won’t be happening.

Does David Warner’s Absence In Boxing Day Test Help India?  View this post on Instagram

There is no denying how great Warner is as a cricketer, an unmatched asset for his side and his absence does leave a massive hole in the Australian batting order. However much does it impact India’s chances of sneaking a win in the second Test, especially when the squad is trying to forget the heartbreaking loss in the Adelaide clash? 

What’s Up With Australia?  View this post on Instagram

Opener Joe Burns looks to be back in form, Steve Smith’s struggles are going to break sooner than later, Marnus Labuschagne has been blessed with unparalleled luck and reliable skipper Tim Paine will make sure to settle in provided the top order finds itself in trouble. 

It is also speculated that head coach Justin Langer will be bringing in Matthew Wade on the opening spot with Joe Burns, an effective replacement for Warner.

What’s Up With India?  View this post on Instagram

A lot has changed between the two sides since the first Test. Virat Kohli has already left the roster and is on his way back to India for the birth of his first child, Mohammed Shami is put on a six-week recovery period after a fractured arm, batsmen like Prithvi Shaw and Wriddhiman Saha are unlikely to be in the Playing XI for the rest of the series and fresh faces like Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill are the big hopefuls. 

Final Verdict

Nonetheless, despite the addition of relatively better batting power to the team, the Men in Blue look nowhere near the team they need to be of decent competition, even to a hurting, lackluster Australian side.

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