ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 21: Pat Cummins of Australia celebrates with James Faulkner during an Australia T20 training session at Adelaide Oval on February 21, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)

Fast bowler Pat Cummins has replaced Mitch Starc in Australia's 16-man squad for the remainder of the tour of India.

In a huge blow for Australia, Starc was yesterday ruled out for the remainder of the series after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right foot.

Cummins has played just one Sheffield Shield match in five years, after making his comeback to the longer form of the game this week in New South Wales' win over South Australia at the SCG. He finished with figures of 8-104 for the match.

Cummins' last Test match for Australia, which was also his debut, was back in 2011, as an 18 year-old, when he claimed man of the match honours with figures of 7-117, before countless injuries plagued the now 23-year-old year.

“It’s unfortunate to lose Mitch out of the squad in India,” selection panel chair Trevor Hohns said today.

“In selecting Pat, we were looking for a strike bowling replacement option.

“Pat has impressed in his return to cricket this summer with consistent performances in his ODI, Twenty20 International and Big Bash matches.

“He has also had a very good Sheffield Shield return for New South Wales, after six years off, where he made a notable Shield best 4-57 in the first innings, before bettering those figures in the second innings with 4-47 in his man-of-the-match performance.”

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