Matthew Wade will struggle for Ashes berth: Clarke

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke believes Matthew Wade faces an uphill battle to retain his spot for the Ashes after being dumped from the one-day international team.

The wicketkeeper was dropped from the side which slumped to a series defeat in Indore on Sunday, with India taking an unassailable 3-0 lead.

"That's a big decision from the Australian selectors," Clarke told Indian broadcaster Star Sports.

"Because now I think it's very hard for Matthew Wade to fight his way into that Test team as well."

Wade had failed to post a double-figure score in his past five innings in one-day cricket and past three in Tests.

After the ODI series in India, Wade will return home to play for Tasmania after a decade with Victoria.

He'll have three Sheffield Shield matches to convince selectors he is still Australia's No. 1 option with the gloves.

"He's going to have to go back and play first-class cricket," Clarke said.

"I can't see them selecting him for the next two ODIs."

Wade was replaced by part-time wicketkeeper Peter Handscomb, who will be a certain selection in the Ashes squad after an encouraging start to his Test career.

But Handscomb didn't set the world alight in Indore, out for three before dropping a catch diving to his right while keeping.

He's likely to get another chance to impress with Australia still to play two dead rubbers in Bengaluru and Nagpur.