Glenn Maxwell's hopes of cementing himself at No. 6 for Australia in the Ashes have taken a blow after he was axed from the one-day international team.
The big-hitting Victorian was dumped for Thursday's dead rubber in Bangalore with Matthew Wade getting a reprieve from selectors after being left out of the team in Indore.
Maxwell smashed 39 from 18 in Australia's rain-shortened innings in the series' first match in Chennai, but has since struggled to make an impact with scores of 14 and five in Kolkata and Indore respectively.
The 28-year-old got out to Indian legpsinner Yuzvendra Chahal all three times and was stumped twice after advancing down the wicket.
Maxwell is among a group of players vying to bat at No.6 during the Ashes with Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright and Moises Henriques all in the mix.
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke hit out at selectors for dropping Maxwell, while Brad Hodge also questioned the decision.
"I thought these two games in particular were a great opportunity for Maxi to understand where he sits in the team," Clarke told Indian broadcaster Star Sports.
"I thought it was a god chance to (bat him up the order) and make it clear to him ... that if he doesn't make a big score in the next two games, then you're having a different conversation. Then he could be dropped."
Hodge tweeted his opposition to Maxwell's absence which comes less than two months before the first Test against England in Brisbane.
"Can anyone with some logic explain to my why I'm not watching @Gmaxi_32 in Bangalore today?" Hodge tweeted.
Clarke acknowledged Maxwell's performances haven't been up to scratch, saying Australian fans wanted such a talented player to be more consistent.
"But I think he's too good a player to now allow him to just go back into the wilderness and go back to first-class cricket," Clarke said.
"I think the leadership in the team needs to find a way to get the best out of Glenn Maxwell."
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