Karun Nair drafted into Test squad as cover for injured Dhawan

24-year old Karnataka batsman Karun Nair has been drafted into the Indian Test side as a cover for Shikhar Dhawan who has been ruled out of the third and final Test of the New Zealand Test series. Things have now gone from bad to worse for Dhawan as his bad form has now been coupled with a minor thumb injury.

The 30-year old southpaw will now be unavailable for the third and final Test match at Indore against a dangerous New Zealand side and is also expected to be out for 15 days at the very least. The injury to Dhawan occurred in the first over of the Test match a few short minutes after India won the toss and opted to bat first.

Dhawan was struck on the right thumb in the first over by a short-pitched delivery from Trent Boult. He was then subsequently hit for the second time in the similar area while attempting to ward away yet another short delivery from Boult. He was replaced by 34-year old comeback sensation Gautam Gambhir who is now the favorite to replace his left-handed counterpart in the upcoming Test.

Also read – Shikhar Dhawan ruled out of Indore Test with minor injury

Although Gautam Gambhir is favorite to be named in the playing XI for the final encounter, Nair also may get a call to arms following his impressive batting efforts in the previous edition of the Ranji Trophy. The 24-year-old batsman compiled 500 runs at an impressive average of 50 in the Ranji Trophy during the 2015-16 season and has been a prolific run-getter in the domestic circuit.

Moreover, this isn’t the first time Nair is getting a call-up to the Test squad. In the previous series against Sri Lanka, Nair was roped in as cover for Murali Vijay who had injured himself in the hamstring. Nair also has a few ODIs to his name having made his debut in the ODI series against Zimbabwe shortly before India’s tour of the West Indies.

India claimed a 178-run win at the iconic Eden Gardens to claim the World number one ranking in Tests. However, a win in the final Test match at Indore could very well cement their place right up there in lights.

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