Groin injury forces Bhuvneshwar Kumar out of West Indies ODIs

India seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been ruled out of the three-match one-day international series against West Indies due to a groin injury, the country’s cricket board (BCCI) said on Saturday.

Paceman Shardul Thakur, who last played an ODI in September 2018, will replace Kumar in the Virat Kohli-led squad, with the series kicking off in Chennai on Sunday followed by matches at Visakhapatnam and Cuttack.

“Bhuvneshwar complained of pain in his right groin after the final T20I in Mumbai on Wednesday,” the BCCI said in a statement.

“He underwent an ultrasound scan conducted by a specialist and the BCCI medical team found that his sportsman’s hernia symptoms have resurfaced.

“A specialist opinion will now be sought, and his management plan will be decided accordingly.”

India, who beat the Caribbean side 2-1 in a just concluded Twenty20 series, will also be without Shikhar Dhawan after the experienced opener suffered a deep cut on his left knee during a domestic game.