Injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar ruled out of West Indies ODIs

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series against West Indies due to a groin injury. Shardul Thakur will come in as his replacement.*

In a media release, the BCCI said of Bhuvneshwar's injury: "Bhuvneshwar complained of pain in his right groin after the final T20I [against West Indies] in Mumbai on Wednesday. He underwent an ultrasound scan conducted by a specialist and the BCCI medical team found that his sportsman's hernia symptoms have resurfaced.

"A specialist opinion will now be sought, and his management plan will be decided accordingly."

The development will come as yet another setback for Bhuvneshwar, for whom injuries have become a constant in the recent past. During the World Cup, Bhuvneshwar had to limp out of the marquee contest against Pakistan in Manchester with a hamstring strain after bowling just 2.4 overs. He made a comeback in the semi-finals, but then missed the home series against South Africa and Bangladesh recently because of what the selectors had called a niggle.

Thakur last played an ODI during the Asia Cup last September, following which he played his first - and only - Test against West Indies in October. In the recently concluded domestic T20s, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he picked up nine wickets in eight games for Mumbai.

Bhuvneshwar is the second player after Shikhar Dhawan to miss out from the series against West Indies due to injury. Dhawan, who hurt his knee during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy recently, was replaced by Sanju Samson for the T20I series, while Mayank Agarwal has taken his place for the ODI series.

*03.15GMT, December 14: This story was updated after the BCCI issued a press release.