Disappointed to have not found a place in the team for the first Test against New Zealand, Gautam Gambhir today made it to the squad for the last two matches against the black caps.
The experienced opener will come in place of Lokesh Rahul, who was ruled out of the remainder of the Test series due to a right hamstring injury.
"BCCI medical team has confirmed that team India opener, KL Rahul has an injury in his right hamstring and he is ruled out for the remainder of the Paytm Test series against New Zealand," BCCI Secretary Ajay Shirke said in a release.
"The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Gautam Gambhir as Rahul's replacement for the next two Test matches," he added.
Pace spearhead Ishant Sharma, who was ruled out of first Test due to chikungunya, will miss the second match as well at the Eden Gardens and uncapped Haryana off-spinner Jayant Yadav was named as his replacement.
"Medium pacer Ishant Sharma is recovering and won't be available for the second Test of the series to played in Kolkata," the release said.
"BCCI medical Team will continue to monitor his progress. Off spinner Jayant Yadav will replace Ishant for the second Test."
Gambhir had appeared for a fitness test at the NCA in Bangalore today. The Delhi batsman was impressive in the recent Duleep Trophy, where he scored four back-to-back half-centuries including two 90 plus scores.
(With PTI inputs)
