MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 28: Mitchell Starc of Australia tapes his finger during day three of the Second Test match in the series between Australia and South Africa at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 28, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Mitchell Starc appears the most likely of Australia's injured quicks to return for the second Border Gavaskar Trophy Test in Delhi, with the veteran set to land in the capital in the coming days.

The paceman missed selection in the series opener, opting to spend time away from the group to nurse a broken finger sustained during Australia's Boxing Day win over South Africa.

Though the New South Welshman will link up with Andrew McDonald's battered unit in Delhi, fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood appears unlikely to return, while blossoming all-rounder Cameron Green will need to "wait and see" whether he is called back from his own finger injury.

Speaking in the washup of his side's innings and 132-run defeat in Nagpur, Australian skipper Pat Cummins gave insight into the trio's pathway back into the XI.

"'Starcy' lands today or tomorrow into Delhi," Cummins was quoted by cricket.com.au.

"I think 'Joshy' (Hazlewood) might not be quite ready for Delhi. He's getting up and running now, he's pretty close, but I don't think he'll be quite ready for Delhi.

"Greeny's a bit of a wait and see. Still hoping (he could return), he's had a couple of good hits out here. He's bowling's pretty good, the next couple of days we'll assess it."

Despite being destroyed by Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, Cummins claimed that wholesale changes for the second Test remained unlikely, opting instead to praise the opposition rather than roast his faltering top-order.

NAGPUR, INDIA - FEBRUARY 09: Steve Smith of Australia is bowled by Ravindra Jadeja of India during day one of the First Test match in the series between India and Australia at Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground on February 09, 2023 in Nagpur, India. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

"A lot of it was good bowling, two masters of their craft, fresh legs, they bowled really well," he said.

"In saying that I don't think much is going to change the next couple of games. That's what we're going to come against so we have to find better methods.

"You saw 'Smithy' (Steve Smith) and Alex Carey at times put the pressure back on the bowlers. I think it takes a bit of bravery, it's easier said than done.

"If you're just facing ball after ball and the bowler's pretty good, you're going to get one with your name on it.

"Again, that will be the conversation this week. If we get the same conditions, same bowlers, what are we going to do differently? I think at times probably being more proactive."

At present, the Australian camp is yet to comment on whether in-form middle-order batsman Travis Head will return for the capital clash.

The loss is just the second of Cummins' reign as Australian skipper, both of which came in the subcontinent.

Cummins and company will now have five days to recover and reset ahead of the second Test at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium.

The opening ball of the now crucial clash is scheduled for 3:00 pm (AEDT) on Friday, March 17.