Gambhir natural choice to replace injured Dhawan - Kohli

New Delhi: India will face New Zealand in third and final Test match at Indore on Saturday. India has already won the Test series 2-0 and will now look for a clean sweep against the Kiwis at the Holkar stadium. Left arm batsman Gautam Gambhir is in contention to be named in the starting lineup after Shikar Dhawan was ruled out of the final Test match due to thumb injury. India’s skipper Virat Kohli admitted, “Gautam Gambhir is natural choice in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan.” Virat’s statement has ruled out the possibility of facing New Zealand with five bowlers. Earlier, India’s batting coach Sanjay Bangar had also confirmed Gautam Gambhir’s inclusion in the third test. “I think the untimely injury to KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan makes it sure there is a place for him. He has a proven record against spin bowling. And the number of Test matches we are going to play in India, he becomes a very important player at the top of the order,” said Bangar. Gautam Gambhir has enjoyed a decent run in domestic cricket this season. The left arm batsman returns to international cricket after two years. Gambhir played his last match against England at the Ovals in 2014.