Shardul Thakur replaces injured Bhuvneshwar

A back strain has ruled Bhuvneshwar Kumar out of the third Test between India and New Zealand in Indore. According to a BCCI release, Bhuvneshwar sustained the injury during the second Test in Kolkata. Shardul Thakur has replaced him in India's squad.

Bhuvneshwar played a key role in India's 178-run win in Kolkata, taking six wickets in the match including a five-for in the first innings that gave India a decisive 112-run lead. It was his second five-wicket haul in three Test matches. His injury is the second major blow to India's pace attack in the series. Ishant Sharma has played no part in the series, after being diagnosed with the mosquito-borne viral infection chikungunya.

Thakur is yet to play a Test match for India. The Mumbai seamer earned his first call-up to the squad during India's tour of the West Indies in July-August.