Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out of the 3rd India-New Zealand Test match after he suffered a fracture on his left thumb on the day three of the second Test, which India won comprehensively by 178 runs to take the series 2-0. Gautam Gambhir, who was recalled to the squad after another opener, KL Rahul, was ruled out, is expected to take Dhawan's spot for the dead rubber Test in Indore.

Dhawan's place was under scrutiny for the first Test and it was Rahul who played the first Test at Kanpur. Dhawan suffered two knocks on his thumb from New Zealand pacer Trent Boult's bowling during the second innings of the Kolkata Test. A report by ESPNCricinfo stated, "Shikhar [Dhawan] has a very minor fracture on his hand. He is under observations, and he has been advised 15 days of rest. So he is ruled out for the next Test match. The selectors have been informed," India's media manager Nishant Arora said.

The selectors have yet to decide, but veteran batsman Gambhir's chances of opening and batting alongside Murali Vijay are high. Gambhir last featured in a Test match for India during the summer of 2014 in England.