Injured McGain on his way home

Bryce McGain will not be making his Test debut in India after being sent home early due to a shoulder injury.

The news is a bitter blow for McGain, who had been a warm favourite to earn a baggy green cap following his selection in the touring party.

But McGain, 36, has failed to overcome a shoulder injury he suffered while playing for Australia A in the subcontinent last month.

Initially, it had been hoped McGain would make a quick recovery but the injury continued to dog the leg-spinner during the tour, so much so team management decided on Friday to send him home.

"Bryce's injury was first sustained in an Australia A match in September and despite his workload being managed throughout the early stages of this tour, he suffered a setback at training on Tuesday in an attempt to be available for Australia's four-day match currently being played in Hyderabad," said Cricket Australia physio Alex Kountouris.

"As a result, it has been decided that Bryce will not be available for selection for the majority of the tour."

Selectors are yet to finalise a replacement for McGain, who had been in line to be the oldest Australian Test debutant since Bob Holland debuted at the age of 38 in 1984.