<p>"Nothing has been decided as yet and we would inform the media once it happens, but yes the possibility of some players leaving early for Australia exists," a Cricket Board source told PTI today.<br /><br />India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni told reporters in Mumbai after the conclusion of the three-Test series against the West Indies that such a move, if it happens, would benefit the players to get used to the conditions in Australia ahead of what is touted as a battle royale against the hosts.<br /><br />"As of now nothing is concrete and if it is not concrete I can't say anything about it. Such a decision will help the players in acclimatising to the conditions as was the case when we went to South Africa (before the World Cup)," Dhoni had said.<br /><br />On that occasion India lost the opening Test at Centurion Park, defeated the Proteas in the second match of the three-match rubber at Kingsmead in Durban before the two teams drew the third and final Test at Sahara Park Newlands in Cape Town. <br /><br />Dhoni has been rested for the ongoing five-match ODI series against the West Indies and in his absence the team is being led by Virender Sehwag.<br /><br />Rahul Dravid has retired from ODIs and is available for early departure to Australia.<br />But this uncertain as he is the recipient of this year's prestigious C K Nayudu Award to be given away during the BCCI's annual awards function at Chennai on December 10.<br /><br />Two other Australia-bound Test squad members -- Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha -- have not been picked for the first three ODIs while Sachin Tendulkar has been rested for the first three matches against West Indies.<br /><br />The selectors are to pick the team for the last two ODIs at Ahmedabad, venue of the third India-West Indies match on December 5 along with a replacement for Praveen Kumarm, who has been ruled out of the Test series in Australia because of a chest injury.</p>
<p>"Nothing has been decided as yet and we would inform the media once it happens, but yes the possibility of some players leaving early for Australia exists," a Cricket Board source told PTI today.<br /><br />India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni told reporters in Mumbai after the conclusion of the three-Test series against the West Indies that such a move, if it happens, would benefit the players to get used to the conditions in Australia ahead of what is touted as a battle royale against the hosts.<br /><br />"As of now nothing is concrete and if it is not concrete I can't say anything about it. Such a decision will help the players in acclimatising to the conditions as was the case when we went to South Africa (before the World Cup)," Dhoni had said.<br /><br />On that occasion India lost the opening Test at Centurion Park, defeated the Proteas in the second match of the three-match rubber at Kingsmead in Durban before the two teams drew the third and final Test at Sahara Park Newlands in Cape Town. <br /><br />Dhoni has been rested for the ongoing five-match ODI series against the West Indies and in his absence the team is being led by Virender Sehwag.<br /><br />Rahul Dravid has retired from ODIs and is available for early departure to Australia.<br />But this uncertain as he is the recipient of this year's prestigious C K Nayudu Award to be given away during the BCCI's annual awards function at Chennai on December 10.<br /><br />Two other Australia-bound Test squad members -- Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha -- have not been picked for the first three ODIs while Sachin Tendulkar has been rested for the first three matches against West Indies.<br /><br />The selectors are to pick the team for the last two ODIs at Ahmedabad, venue of the third India-West Indies match on December 5 along with a replacement for Praveen Kumarm, who has been ruled out of the Test series in Australia because of a chest injury.</p>