Shardul Thakur to replace injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar for third Test

New Delhi, Oct 6: Medium pacer Shardul Thakur was on Wednesday (October 5) called in as a replacement for injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the third and final Test against New Zealand in Indore starting on Saturday (October 8).

Ind-NZ series schedule

Bhuvneshwar, who picked his maiden five wicket haul at home to guide India to a 178-run win in the Kolkata Test, was ruled out of the final game after sustaining a back strain.

"The All-India Senior Selection Committee have named medium pacer Shardul Thakur as the replacement for injured pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the Indian Team," BCCI said in a statement.

"Kumar has been ruled out of the third Test of the Paytm Test series against New Zealand after he sustained a back strain in the second Test at the Eden Gardens," the statement added.

India go into the inconsequential final Test after taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match rubber.

IANS