Unadkat to replace Zaheer

India was dealt a big blow ahead of the third Test against New Zealand with pace spearhead Zaheer Khan being ruled out of the final rubber because of a groin injury.

Young left-handed pacer Jaydev Unadkat has been drafted in the squad in place of him.

Zaheer suffered an groin injury during the second Test, which ended in a tame draw at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium.

"Zaheer Khan is injured and is unavailable for the Third Test against New Zealand, to be played at Nagpur from 20 November-24 November," BCCI secretary N Srinivasan said in a release.

"The All India Selection Committee has chosen Jayadev Unadkat to replace Zaheer Khan in the squad," the release said.

Zaheer was off the field for a good part of the fourth day. The left-handed pacer bowled just three overs during the fifth day.

19-year-old Unadkat was named in India's Under-19 squad for the ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand. The left-arm fast bowler represents Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy and has claimed 26 wickets in six first-class games at an average of 26.34.