Cameron White has been handed a second chance to impress at Test level after being called up to the Australia squad on tour in India as an injury replacement for Bryce McGain.

McGain has suffered a shoulder injury and returned to Australia on Friday, but the selection of his Victoria team-mate White as a replacement has to come as a surprise as he has not figured in a Test team since touring India in 2004.

Although White is an all-rounder who offers to replace the leg-spin that Australia have lost in McGain, his recent county role has been primarily as a batsman in short versions of the game.

However, his experience in India - not only four years ago but more recently with Australia A - earned him the nod.

"Bryce McGain's long-term unavailability due to a shoulder injury gives his fellow Victorian right-arm leg-spinner Cameron White an opportunity to join the Australian Test squad in India," said Andrew Hilditch, chairman of the national selection panel.

"We feel that Cameron's right-arm leg spin and experience in Indian conditions, where he has just returned after captaining the Australia A one-day team to a tournament victory, is the correct option and will provide a good balance to our slow bowling attack.

"Cameron's bowling has continued to improve over the past year at interstate level and his powerful batting adds extra depth and versatility to the squad."

White is due to join up with his team-mates in Bangalore on Monday, ahead of the first Test which starts on Thursday.