The fast bowler bowled just five overs during Australia’s win over India here on Monday before suffering the strain. Though the nature of the injury wasn’t serious, the decision was taken as a precautionary measure.

“Peter's injury does not appear to be a serious problem but it is unlikely he will be able to safely bowl within the next week which would therefore not allow him to have any further participation in the tour. With this in mind we have made the decision that Peter will return to Australia where he will be reviewed by Cricket Australia medical staff to ensure he is available for selection at the beginning of the Australian summer,” Australian team physio Kevin Sims said in a release from the CA.
Siddle is the fourth Australian player on their India’s tour to fly back home owing to injuries. Brett Lee, Tim Paine and James Hopes are the other players who have been sent back home. Australia’s selectors are yet to announce a replacement for Siddle even as their fast-bowling strength is dwindling rapidly.

Meanwhile, the Indian selectors have retained the side for the next three matches to be played in Hyderabad, Guwahati and Mumbai. Hit on the back of his neck while fielding at short leg in the Delhi game, there was some doubt over Gautam Gambhir’s availability but the left-hander, who had a light practice session prior to the Mohali game, appears to have recovered from the blow.

Dinesh Kaarthick, sent in as a cover, will now join the Tamil Nadu squad for their Ranji opener beginning Tuesday.

India squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain, wk), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Virat Kohli, Amit Mishra, Munaf Patel and Sudeep Tyagi.