Matthew Wade appears to be fighting a losing battle to play in Thursday’s third Test against India after failing to train with Australia’s squad on Tuesday.
The gloveman is nursing a swollen ankle following a basketball mishap last week.
Former Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has been flown over on standby and trained with the team in Mohali on Tuesday.
Australia’s 16-man squad, plus Haddin, has been reduced by four following coach Mickey Arthur’s announcement that four players have been suspended for failing to complete a homework assignment.
The four players are batsman Shane Watson, Test quick James Pattinson and squad members Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson.
Australia’s 13 remaining players include Wade, who’s in doubt, leaving a 12-man squad from which to choose 11 players.
Offspinner Nathan Lyon and pace bowler Mitchell Starc were both dropped after the first Test in Chennai and offspinner Glenn Maxwell was looking shaky to hold his spot after Arthur said he leaked runs despite taking four wickets during the second Test in Hyderabad.
On a pitch expected to offer more bounce than Chennai and Hyderabad, Australia have only two pace bowlers available – Peter Siddle and Starc – plus seam-bowling allrounder Moises Henriques.
If Wade is ruled out then Australia will have to make at least three changes for the wicketkeeper, Watson and Pattinson.
Haddin, back-up batsman Steve Smith and Starc are likely replacements with Lyon vying for the spinner’s role with Xavier Doherty.
Playing only one frontline spinner and including Smith, Maxwell and Henriques give the batting lineup a deeper look but Australia would have only three specialist bowlers.
India lead the four-match series two-nil.
Possible Test team: Michael Clarke (capt), David Warner, Ed Cowan, Phil Hughes, Brad Haddin, Steve Smith, Moises Henriques, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Xavier Doherty.