David Warner in shock development ahead of second Test against India

David Warner is reportedly facing the axe for the second Test against India, with Aussie selectors considering bringing Travis Head back into the side at the top of the order. Head was controversially left out of Australia's XI as the tourists were thrashed by an innings and 132 runs in the first Test.

But according to News Corp, Head could come back into the side as an opener at the expense of Warner. The 36-year-old Warner made 1 and 10 in the first Test in Nagpur and averages just over 22 in his career in India.

BRUTAL: India captain's confession adds salt to Aussie wounds

'WHAT THE HELL': Steve Smith under fire over 'ridiculous' act

According to veteran journalist Malcolm Conn, Aussie selectors have discussed replacing Warner with Head as Usman Khawaja's opening partner. Conn wrote on Sunday: "Sources close to the Australian team...confirmed discussions about Head playing on the subcontinent as an opening batsman had taken place."

However coach Andrew McDonald shot down the reports on Sunday, saying they hadn't discussed that plan. “We haven’t discussed that at all,” McDonald said. “We’ll discuss the performance of the first Test match. We haven’t even got into a selection discussion.

“The benefit out of losing the game so quickly is we’ve got a little bit more think time to work through what scenarios are for us and that starts today.” McDonald said of Warner: “It’s a sample size of one game, in Nagpur”.

According to former Test captain Mark Taylor, Warner deserves at least one more chance. “David’s been around long enough, and I know he’s had plenty of opportunities [but] I think you’ve got to give him at least the next Test match to get it right,” he told Wide World of Sports.

“As Warner and Usman Khawaja found out, they bat at the top of the order and faced Ravi Ashwin with the new ball, and then four overs later got Ravi Jadeja. So it doesn’t really matter where you bat; you’re going to face the same stuff. So I would be sticking with the top two at the moment.”

Matthew Kuhnemann a chance to play second Test

Meanwhile, Queensland spinner Matthew Kuhnemann is a 'live chance' to play in the second Test in Delhi after being rushed to India to replace Mitchell Swepson, who has flown home to be at the birth of his first child. The Aussies could opt to play Kuhnemann as a third spinner alongside Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy if Cameron Green is fit to play in the second Test. Green would be used as the second pace option with Pat Cummins.

"We feel as though with the balance of the squad we wanted four spinners here - two going in, two going away," McDonald said on Sunday. "That was heavily discussed if we needed a spinner to go the other way so Matt comes in with Mitch going home to see (partner) Jess.

"He's (Kuhnemann) a live chance to play in the next Test match. If we play three spinners then we clearly want back-up here and available in the squad if that's the way we want to go."

Green is making good progress in his recovery from a broken finger, while Mitchell Starc is also pushing to prove his fitness. "We're hopeful," McDonald said on Green.

"It's been six weeks now. I think he's actually got his final X-ray or scan today. He does allow us different options to the way that we want to structure up."

McDonald also urged his team to stick with their plans despite the crushing loss in the series opener. "If you feel as though your preparation was good and the way you want to go about it is good then you recommit to that," the coach said.

"If you shift and try to change too much that's when you get lost as a touring team. We've seen teams come to Australia and try to do the same."

with AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.