Shardul to replace injured Bhuvneshwar for third Test

New Delhi: Medium pacer Shardul Thakur was on Wednesday called in as a replacement for injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the third and final Test against New Zealand in Indore starting on Saturday.

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.