India’s in-form opening batsman Lokesh Rahul has been ruled out of the remaining two Tests against New Zealand due to a hamstring injury and has been replaced by Gautam Gambhir in the squad, the country’s cricket board said on Tuesday (September 27).
Fast bowler Ishant Sharma will also miss the second test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata after failing to recover from the mosquito-borne viral disease chikungunya, which also forced him to sit out of the Kanpur opener.
Uncapped Haryana offspinner Jayant Yadav will replace Sharma for the second Test of the series, which India lead 1-0.
Right-hander Rahul, 24, scored two 100s and a 50 in four innings against the West Indies in Tests and a Twenty20 international recently.
He made 32 and 38 in Kanpur and injured his right hamstring while running between the wickets.
Gambhir, 34, has played 56 Tests for India, the last of them in England over two years ago.
The left-handed opener, who has score nine Test hundreds, was recalled to the Indian squad on the back of his strong form in domestic tournaments.
Joao Cancelo of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Rodri during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between FC Barcelona and Real Racing Club de Santander at Spotify Camp Nou on September 16, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. Alex Caparros/Getty Images
