Australia are wearing black armbands on the second day of the fourth Test against India after captain Pat Cummins's mother Maria died of breast cancer. 

Cummins flew home to Australia immediately after the team's second-Test defeat to India in Delhi last month to be around his family.

Maria died in Sydney overnight, three weeks after Cummins returned home.

Australian players were told of Cummins's mother's death on Friday ahead of a crucial second day in Ahmedabad.

"We are deeply saddened at the passing of Maria Cummins overnight," a Cricket Australia statement read.

"On behalf of Australian Cricket, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Pat, the Cummins family and their friends."

The story has touched the cricket world in recent weeks, with the Barmy Army playing the song Maria from the musical West Side Story in tribute during England's Test against New Zealand last month.

Australia's players, coaches and staff have been highly supportive of Cummins's call to take leave mid-series to be closer to his family.

After last week's memorable nine-wicket win against India in Indore, the team immediately checked in with Cummins through video calls and messages.

Steve Smith has filled in as captain in Cummins's absence during the final two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar series.

AAP