The logic applied to dump Matthew Wade as wicketkeeper for the World Twenty20 was not extended to strengthen Australia's slow bowling stocks, leaving the team dangerously thin for spin in India. 
In picking uncapped duo Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar, and part-timer Glenn Maxwell, Australia bucked a trend in a tournament where several of the leading contenders have opted for three frontline tweakers.
There was again white-ball heartache for the country's premier slow bowler Nathan Lyon while leg-spinner Cameron Boyce was unlucky to be jettisoned after playing a big part in Australia's build-up.
Agar, who selection chairman Rod Marsh said was the last man picked in the 15-man squad, was handed a berth despite bowling only nine overs in the Big Bash. Marsh conceded Agar may not even play at all.
"We thought the 15th player, and in some ways he was the 15th player chosen, should go to another spin bowler and we thought that Ashton was the best package as the spin bowler," Marsh said. "I know he didn't bowl a lot during the Big Bash but we've been tracking his progress and we had him since 2013 as you all know and he's coming along nicely and he'll continue to develop."
Marsh said Zampa received the nod over Boyce in a "very tight call", but despite their superior form to Agar selectors did not want to fly over two leggies. Wade's last-minute axing casts doubt over his future in the international arena. The Victorian has now been overtaken by Peter Nevill in two of the three formats.
Wade has the better record with the bat than Nevill in Twenty20s but, in breaking with modern practice, selectors opted for the wicketkeeper with superior glovework. "I think we needed the best wicketkeeper for India," Marsh said.
Aaron Finch retained his place in the squad despite losing the captaincy to Steve Smith.
Squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, James Faulkner, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Nevill, Andrew Tye, Shane Watson, Adam Zampa.