Australia captain Pat Cummins is returning to Sydney due to a family illness but will rejoin the team in India for the final two Tests.

The Australians are remaining in Delhi, where they will have a few days to refresh and recover, before flying to Indore later this week to prepare for the third Test, starting on March 1.

The early finish to the second Test means there are nine days between games.

Changes are looming to the Australian squad after it fell 2-0 behind in the series and failed in its bid to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Injured veteran David Warner, the out-of-favour Ashton Agar and out-of-form Matthew Renshaw could all be heading home.

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Spin sensation Todd Murphy is also under an injury cloud because of a sore side, though he was able to bowl in the final innings of the game.

Cricket Australia released a statement on Monday requesting Cummins’ privacy be respected.

“Pat Cummins has flown home for personal reasons due to a serious family illness,” the statement confirmed. “He will return to India later this week to rejoin preparations for the third Test in Indore. We ask media to respect his privacy.”