IND vs AUS: Cameron Green out of Border Gavaskar Trophy, sidelined for 6 months

Australia suffered a big blow ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy as Cameron Green has been ruled out of the 5-match Test series against India. Cricket Australia confirmed the news on October 14, Monday with Green set to undergo surgery and be on the shelf for 6 months.

In Short

• Green is expected to miss the Champions Trophy next year
• The all-rounder has a 'unique issue' that is causing him the back injury
• Green could miss IPL 2025 as well

Australia's Cameron Green will be out of the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy and will be sidelined for a period of 6 months as the all-rounder decided to take up the option of undergoing surgery after scans found a 'unique issue' that was worsening his back injury. Cricket Australia released a statement on October 14, Monday, announcing that the 25-year-old will not be part of the upcoming 5-match Test series against India.

Green had reported lower back pain during Australia's tour of the UK and subsequent scans revealed a stress fracture. The surgery and the subsequent recovery period also means that Green will miss the Test tour of Sri Lanka in February and the ICC Champions Trophy. Additionally, his participation in the next Indian Premier League season is now uncertain.

"Green reported lower back pain during September's tour of the UK, with subsequent scans revealing a stress fracture."

"While stress fractures are not uncommon in fast bowlers, a statement from Cricket Australia said Green had a 'unique defect in an adjacent area to the fracture that is believed to be contributing to the injury'."

"No further details on the nature of the "unique defect" were provided," read the statement from Cricket.com.au.

After a week of evaluations and consultations, Green faced the decision to undergo the same type of surgery that had revitalised the careers of several fast bowlers. This procedure has benefited players like Australian pacers James Pattinson, Jason Behrendorff, and Ben Dwarshuis, as well as India's Jasprit Bumrah.

Knock-on effects of Green's withdrawal from BGT

The knock-on effects because of Green's withdrawal would be significant. The all-rounder came in the No.4 spot for the Aussies in Tests and this allowed Steve Smith to open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja. Green's overs with the ball had also come in handy for the reigning WTC champions.

Green's absence now could tempt the Australia selectors to bring back Smith to the No.4 spot, according to the same report from Cricket.com.au. With Mitchell Marsh also not being in the thick of things with the ball, it means that Australia would now need to find a new option with the ball during the Tests against India.