Setback for India, Dhawan to miss three ODIs vs Australia

New Delhi: In a setback to India, star opener Shikhar Dhawan will miss the first three One Day Internationals (ODIs) against Australia, owing to his wife's illness.

Following his request to be released from the squad, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Thursday.

"Team India opener Shikhar Dhawan has requested to be released from the team for the first three ODIs of the Paytm Australia tour of India, 2017 to attend to his wife, who is unwell. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has decided not to name any replacement for Dhawan in Indian Cricket Team," the BCCI said in a statement.

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Dhawan, who is in scintillating form, has striked two tons during the three-Test series in Sri Lanka and also an unbeaten 132 in the first ODI at Dambulla.

India will host Australia at Chennai, Kolkata and Indore in the first three ODIs scheduled to be held on September 17, September 21 and September 24.

Indian team for first three ODIs vs Australia: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami.