India opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan will miss the first three one-day internationals against Australia to be with his ailing wife, the Indian cricket board said Thursday.
The Virat Kohli-led India, who edged out Australia 2-1 in a Test series earlier this year, will begin the five-match ODI series in Chennai on Sunday.
“Team India opener Mr Shikhar Dhawan has requested to be released from the team for the first three ODIs,” said a Board of Control for Cricket in India statement. It added that Dhawan wanted “to attend to his wife, who is unwell.”
The BCCI did not name a replacement. Back-up openers Lokesh Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane are already in the 15-man squad.
The hosts will also play three Twenty20 matches against Steve Smith’s Australia
