AFP, Kolkata :
Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out Monday 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 hit on his left thumb off a Trent Boult bouncer during India’s second innings on Sunday.
Dhawan scored 17 after 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.
“The selectors have been informed about Dhawan’s injury and they will name a replacement very soon.”
Dhawan has scored 1,464 runs from 23 Tests at an average of 38.52.
India’s emphatic 178-run win against New Zealand helped the hosts reclaim their top spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings.
The two teams will now head to Indore for the final Test starting October 8.
