New Delhi: Fans of Gautam Gambhir were left disappointed once again after the selectors preferred Shikhar Dhawan for the second Test against New Zealand at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. (WATCH: How Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli greeted each other during first training session)
But Gambhir is once again in contention to play the third Test of the ongoing series, as Dhawan has been ruled out of the third Test due to a thumb injury.
Dhawan, who scored just 18 runs from two innings at Kolkata, picked up a knock on his left thumb from a Trent Boult delivery in the third over of India`s second innings on Sunday, which led to a fracture. He has been advised at least 15 days` rest.
Dhawan's pain could be Gambhir's gain as he can now possibly open the innings with Murali Vijay, as other opener Lokesh Rahul has been injured as well.
Gambhir was called as a replacement for Rahul ahead of the second Test, after the Karnataka batsman suffered a right hamstring while batting at Kanpur during the first Test.
Gambhir was recalled back into the Test squad after a gap of two years as a result of his brilliant show in the recently concluded Duleep Trophy. The veteran left-hander made 356 runs in five innings with four half-centuries. (READ: Gautam Gambhir thanks BCCI for another opportunity, says nothing beats playing for country)
Gambhir last played a Test for India in 2014, in a series where England beat India 3-1 in a Test series.
The third Test starts from Saturday in Indore. India have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Virat Kohli and his men registered a comprehensive 178-run win against New Zealand at Eden Gardens on Monday, with which they also replaced arch-rivals Pakistani as the No. 1 side in Tests.
