After having secured a convincing win in the series opener, Australia lost the Boxing Day Test to India and following that, they brought a few changes in the setup. Swashbuckling openers David Warner and Will Pucovski have been named in their 18-man squad for the third test against India in Sydney whereas Joe Burns couldn't find a place after twin failures in Melbourne.

Notably, their regular opener Warner missed the first two tests due to his groin strain while the uncapped Pucovski was ruled out after suffering a concussion after being hit on the helmet by a short ball during the tour match ahead of series.

Meanwhile, Burns failed to contribute much as he could manage a duck and four at the Melbourne Cricket Ground where Australia faced an eight-wicket defeat on Tuesday that helped India level the four-match test series by 1-1.

"Joe Burns has been released from the squad and will return to the Brisbane Heat," selector Trevor Hohns said in a media release on Wednesday. "Unfortunately, Joe’s returns haven’t been what he or the selectors would like or what we consider he is capable of."

However, Hohns also added that David Warner has improved in his recovery and he would be given a chance to play in the third Test as well, which is scheduled to begin on January 7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

"Will is in the final stages of the graduated return to play protocols and has been symptom free for some time," he further added. "He will be fit to play in Sydney subject to completing the return to play protocols and an independent assessment."

Along with them, all-rounder Sean Abbott, who has sustained a calf strain earlier, was also added in the squad after recovering well.

Squad: Tim Paine (C), Pat Cummins, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner