Just two days after his 10-wicket Test haul, Australian paceman Mitch Starc is set to be a shock withdrawal from the Indian one-day tour.
It could put Starc in doubt for Australia's World Cup defence.
On the eve of the announcement of the squad for the Indian tour, a lead-up series to the World Cup, Starc is reported to have an upper-body soft tissue injury.
The left-armer returned for form with a vengeance in the second Test against Sri Lanka and was named man of the match.
National selectors are expected to settle on a 15-man ODI squad on Thursday, and this will make Australia's World Cup plans clearer.
But a final call on suspended superstar David Warner's hopes of returning next month is yet to be made.
Australia depart later this month for India, where they will confront Virat Kohli's juggernaut in a pair of Twenty20s and a five-match ODI series.
Justin Langer's team then head straight to the United Arab Emirates for a five-game ODI series against Pakistan, which will be a final chance for players to impress in the canary yellow before the World Cup squad is named.
Thursday's squad is likely to only cover the Indian trip, allowing selectors and Cricket Australia further time to weigh up the merits of Warner returning in the UAE when his 12-month ban expires on March 29.
Warner, like Steve Smith, is currently recovering from elbow surgery but the sacked vice-captain's setback was relatively minor.
The opener will most likely shape up for the World Cup by taking part in the Indian Premier League but CA may yet opt to rush the hard-hitting left-hander back into the ODI squad next month.
Langer recently indicated his team would be "crazy not to" call on the services of Warner and Smith in their World Cup defence, which starts on June 1 in England.
Australia must submit their World Cup squad by April 23 but are free to make changes without needing special approval until May 23.
Pat Cummins, who was rested from Australia's home ODI series loss to India last month, is expected to be part of the subcontinent touring party.
Jhye Richardson's hopes of a World Cup berth have rocketed in the past month, suggesting Billy Stanlake, Peter Siddle and Jason Behrendorff are most at risk of surrendering their spots in the incumbent ODI squad.
"I can't see too many changes," Langer said earlier this week.
The Indian tour is set to start with a T20 in Vizag on February 24.
The 50-over contests will serve as World Cup selection trials as Australia's first-choice XI for the tournament starts to take shape.
