India call up Karun Nair for the third and final Test against Black Caps after injury to opener
Injured Dhawan to miss India's third Test
India's Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out of the third and final Test against New Zealand with a broken thumb after the hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series in Kolkata.
The 30-year-old left-handed opener suffered a nasty blow to his left thumb off a Trent Boult bouncer during India's second innings on Sunday.
Quick single: India regain No.1 Test ranking
Dhawan scored 17 before being trapped lbw off Boult and did not take the field during New Zealand's run chase at Kolkata's Eden Gardens.
"Shikhar has suffered a very minor fracture on his hand (thumb). He has been under observation and advised a 15-day rest. So he is ruled out of the third match," the Indian team's management announced.
Image Id: DDF9632B719B47C89923254076AB8920 Image Caption: Shikhar Dhawan injured his thumb in Kolkata // Getty
Dhawan has scored 1,464 runs from 23 Tests at an average of 38.52.
India's selection committee named batsman Karun Nair, who has played just two one-day internationals, as Dhawan's replacement.
India's emphatic 178-run win against New Zealand helped the hosts reclaim their top spot in the International Cricket Council Test rankings.
The two teams will now head to Indore for the final Test starting October 8.