Shardul replaces injured Bhuvneshwar for final Test against New Zealand
Mumbai medium pacer Shardul Thakur has been called up for the final Test against New Zealand starting in Indore on Saturday (Oct 8) as a replacement for injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar. India have already sealed the three-match series 2-0 following victories in Kanpur and Kolkata.
Kumar became the fourth Indian after openers KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan and fast bowler Ishant Sharma to be sidelined with injuries during the series after he suffered a back strain during the second Test at Eden Gardens where the hosts sealed the series to also reclaim the top spot in the ICC Test rankings. Kumar took six wickets in the Test.
Thakur is yet to play a Test, although the 24-year-old was in the squad for the tour of the West Indies in July-August.
This will be the first-ever Test to be played at the Holkar stadium.