New Delhi, Mar 10 (IANS): Ahead of the crucial third Test against India in Ranchi, Australia suffered a major blow after pace spearhead Mitchell Starc was ruled out of the remainder of the cricket Test rubber with a fractured foot, Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed on Friday.

"Mitchell experienced some pain in his right foot during the second Test in Bengaluru which unfortunately had not subsided a few days after the Test as we had hoped," Australian team physiotherapist David Beakley said in a statement.

"We made the decision to scan his foot in Bengaluru this morning and unfortunately it has revealed a stress fracture."

"Subsequently, this means Mitchell will be unavailable for the remainder of the tour of India and will return home to Australia to start his rehabilitation," he added.

At this stage no replacement has been named for Starc, with Tasmania's Jackson Bird the reserve fast bowler in the touring party.

Australia won the opening Test in Pune by 333 runs before India bounced back to clinch the second game in Bengaluru by 75 runs.