Warner subbed out with concussion, replaced by Renshaw

David Warner has been subbed out of the second Test against India in Delhi due to concussion and has also suffered a small hairline fracture in his left elbow after copping multiple blows while batting on the opening day.

Warner has been replaced in the Delhi Test by Matt Renshaw under the concussion substitute rule but he is set to remain on tour for now as he was likely to bat again in the match despite the small fracture had he not been ruled out with concussion.

Warner was struck on the helmet by Mohammed Siraj at the end of the 10th over having previously taken a painful blow on the left elbow in the eighth over. Both times he was struck he had tried to pull a Siraj bouncer but was beaten for pace. The first blow hit the forearm near the left elbow. The second time, he got a top edge flush into the grille of the helmet and his left jaw as he turned his head to the leg side.

Warner received prolonged treatment from the Australia team doctor and physio for the blow on the elbow and was in quite a lot of discomfort. He had the elbow strapped before continuing to bat. But after the second blow on the helmet he did not undergo a concussion test or get his helmet changed. Warner changed his gloves at the end of the 10th over and the team doctor came out to check on him. The doctor had a brief discussion with Warner about where the ball hit the helmet but went back to the dugout without closely examining Warner or the helmet itself.

He continued to bat on before edging Mohammed Shami to the wicketkeeper for a laboured 15 and didn't field late in the day when Australia began bowling.

At the time he was described as not feeling "100%" and after further assessment during the evening, he failed a concussion test and has been withdrawn from the match.

"Warner will now follow the graduated return to sport protocols ahead of the third Test in Indore in line with Cricket Australia guidelines," a CA statement said.

Warner also had a scan on his arm which revealed he had a small, stable hairline fracture in his left elbow. It is understood he was going to bat again in the game but would not have fielded. He would have been able to open without fielding given he suffered an external blow and there were no concerns about further damage to the elbow. But the concussion made that a moot point.

It is understood a small, stable hairline fracture of the elbow would normally take a minimum of six weeks to heal properly meaning Warner would not be at 100% fitness and would likely have to play through pain if he were to play again in the Test series or the ODI series that follows. The IPL also starts in exactly six weeks' time. But speaking after play on day two, teammate Nathan Lyon believed Warner could still play a part in the final two Tests of the series.

"Talking to the medical staff, it's one of those ones where you could potentially play if you rest it over the next few days and we've got a decent break after this Test match," Lyon said.

"If he's recovered well, I wouldn't be surprised if you see him out there again."

Warner's withdrawal continues a difficult start to the tour for him after twin failures in Nagpur which have thrown the spotlight on his future in Test cricket. He now averages 21.78 in Tests in India, the lowest of any opener to play 10 Tests in the country.

Renshaw will open the batting in the second innings but ICC match referee Andy Pycroft confirmed he will not be allowed to bowl as Warner's replacement. Renshaw played in the first Test in Nagpur but was left out following the innings defeat to accommodate the return of Travis Head.

"There's no slight on him," selector Tony Dodemaide had said on Renshaw's exclusion. "He's very much a valued player in our team planning moving forward. He was quite stiff, particularly in the first innings [in Nagpur]. So he hasn't been dropped for those performances."

Although Renshaw made his comeback into the Test side this season via the middle order, he has experience at the top - he opened throughout the first phase of his career from 2016-17.

Australia have had a number of injury problems on this tour. Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc did not recover from their broken fingers in time to make the team in Delhi while Josh Hazlewood has also missed the first two matches.