Shardul Thakur replaces Bhuvneshwar Kumar for India

Uncapped seamer Shardul Thakur has been selected to replace Bhuvneshwar Kumar ahead of India's third Test against New Zealand.

Bhuvneshwar took six wickets in the second match at Eden Gardens which India won by 178 runs but sustained a back strain which has ruled him out of a place in the squad for the Indore clash, which starts on Saturday.

Thakur, who was called up to the squad during the tour to the West Indies earlier this year, could make his Test debut against the Black Caps.

India have already lost Ishant Sharma from their pace attack after he was struck down with chikungunya, while Shikhar Dhawan was replaced by Karun Nair on Monday after suffering a minor fracture on his left hand.