Gambhir, Ishant out of second Test

In a massive blow to the Indian team, opener Gautam Gambhir and pacer Ishant Sharma were ruled out of the second Test against Australia due to knee injuries while VVS Laxman is also doubtful because of back spasms.

The celebrations of a narrow one-wicket win over the visitors on Tuesday had not even ended when the Indians were left to deal with the twin loss ahead of the second and final match of series, scheduled from October 9 in Bangalore.

"I have an injury and I won't be playing in the Bangalore Test," Gambhir said.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India named batsman Abhinav Mukund and pacer Jaydev Unadkat as replacements for Gambhir and Ishant.

"Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma have been ruled out of the Bangalore Test against Australia on account of injuries to their right knees.

"The All-India Selection Committee has picked Abhinav Mukund and Jaydev Unadkat in their place. Mukund and Unadkat will be replaced in the squads for the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy by Harpreet Singh and Pankaj Singh respectively," a statement from BCCI secretary N Srinivasan read.

While Mukund plays for India Red, Unadkat represents India Green in the tournament.

Gambhir, who scored 25 and 0 in the first Test against Australia, was hit on the knee while fielding at short leg on Monday when he took evasive action to save himself from a Michael Hussey sweep shot off Pragyan Ojha.

Ishant, on the other hand, was carrying the injury in the match.

Concerns also remain about the fitness of Laxman, who batted through pain to heroically guide India to victory.