The left-arm seamer will join the rest of the group after the series opener in Nagpur. Victoria's uncapped spinner Todd Murphy is the standout pick for the four-Test series
Australia will be without Mitchell Starc for the first Test against India in Nagpur.
A finger tendon injury suffered during the Boxing Day Test against South Africa means the left-arm seamer will be sidelined until the second Test in Delhi when he will join up with the remainder of the squad.
Cricket Australia have confirmed an 18-strong group for the series, with uncapped spinner Todd Murphy the standout inclusion.
Murphy has played seven first-class matches, including three times in this season's Sheffield Shield (Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)
He is part of a four-pronged front-line spin battery including Nathan Lyon, Ashton Agar and Mitchell Swepson.
In just seven first-class appearances, the Victoria offspinner has taken 29 wickets at 25.50. That return includes taking 4 for 67 for Australia A in Sri Lanka last June.
"Todd Murphy has progressed quickly having impressed in domestic cricket and recently with Australia A. With those performances Todd has emerged as a strong spin option," chair of selectors George Bailey said.
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner
"Selection in this squad also provides another opportunity to spend time alongside Nathan Lyon and assistant coach Daniel Vettori in India which will be invaluable to his development."
With Marcus Harris missing out as a backup batter, Matthew Renshaw and Peter Handscomb - the reserve keeper on the tour - will provide cover.
Cameron Green will travel with the squad as he continues to recover from a broken finger while seamer Lance Morris keeps his place.
Adam Zampa ended three years without a first-class appearance - but it wasn't enough to win selection (Barbour/Getty Images)
Among those to miss out include Josh Inglis - who remains the No.2 wicketkeeper according to Bailey - and Adam Zampa, who ended three years without a first-class appearance last month for New South Wales against Victoria.
Australia are seeking to win a Test series in India for the first time since 2004 when Ricky Ponting's side prevailed 2-1.
Across five weeks they play in Nagpur, Delhi, Dharamsala and Ahmedabad, aiming to improve on a record of one Test win in the last four series in India.
India vs Australia Test series fixtures
February 9-13: First Test, Nagpur
February 17-21: Second Test, Delhi
March 1-5: Third Test, Dharamsala
March 9-13: Fourth Test, Ahmedabad
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