Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has been ruled out of the second cricket Test against India, Cricket Australia said on Thursday after receiving medical advice on the player's injured thumb.

Ponting had already been ruled out of the opening Test, starting in Bangalore on October 6, following an injury he sustained on his thumb during the recent Champions Trophy match against England.

After a review of his fractured thumb by a hand specialist in Sydney on Thursday morning, Cricket Australia said Ponting will also miss the second Test in Chennai.

CA Medical Officer Trefor James said Ponting is making good progress but requires further examination and would not be fit to play in the first two Tests of the four-match series.

He, however, said the skipper is likely to play in the third Test at Nagpur, starting on October 26.

"The bone seems to be repairing well and there has been no change in the status of the injury," James said in a statement.

"Ponting will visit the specialist again on October 14, and with the injury progressing at its current rate, we expect he will be available for the third Test in Nagpur."

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