Ind vs NZ: Karun Nair replaces Shikhar Dhawan for 3rd Test

Kolkata: Promising Karnataka batsman Karun Nair on Monday replaced injured Shikhar Dhawan in the Indian squad for the third and final cricket Test against Indore, starting October 8.

Nair, who played two ODIs for India, got his chance to be a part of the Test squad after Dhawan was ruled out of the third Test following a minor fracture on his left thumb.

"The All-India Senior Selection Committee have named batsman Karun Nair as the replacement for injured opener Shikhar Dhawan in the Indian team," BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke said in a statement.

The left-handed Dhawan sustained the fracture after he was hit twice by New Zealand pace spearhead Trent Boult during the second Test, which India won by 178 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ongoing three-Test series at the Eden Gardens here on Monday.

Dhawan, who was hit on his left thumb twice on the third day of the Test yesterday and was taken to a city hospital for scans, has been recommended 15 days' rest.

"A very minor fracture has occurred and he has been recommended 15 days rest, which effectively rules him out of the next Test," said India's media manager after the match.

On Sunday, the left-handed opener took blows on his bottom hand thumb twice with the ball rising awkwardly. He survived some anxious moments, managing to open his account after 14 balls, and the swollen thumb had to be taped. He was soon rushed to a city hospital for x-ray.

He did not take the field on Monday when New Zealand were batting in their second innings.