Bengaluru, India

New Zealand pacer Ben Sears has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against India after he failed to recover on the eve of the series opener in Bengaluru. As revealed in a statement from Cricket New Zealand on Tuesday (Oct 15), Sears will not be available for the entire three-match series and will instead be part of the rehabilitation. Sears had experienced pain in his left knee while training during the recent Test series in Sri Lanka.

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Sears ruled out

"Sears experienced pain in his left knee while training during the recent Test series in Sri Lanka and underwent scans in New Zealand last week," a New Zealand Cricket statement on Tuesday morning said. "His departure to India was delayed after scans revealed a tear to his meniscus, and the first available medical consultation was sought in the hope that he might have been cleared.

"However, following the medical advice, the decision was made to rule him out of the series. A plan on the best course of treatment and rehabilitation for the injury will be advised in due course."

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Sears has represented New Zealand in only one Test match which came against Australia in March. He was part of the side during the Sri Lanka series but did not get to play and was part of the bench as the Kiwis lost 2-0. He has also represented New Zealand in 17 T20I matches and was one of the pace options for the side.

Jacob Duffy roped in

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On the eve of the Test series opener, Jacob Duffy has been drafted into the side and will travel to India in the coming days. He is unlikely to be in the New Zealand side for the first Test match but is expected to be on the bench for the Test matches in Mumbai and Pune respectively. Duffy has presented New Zealand in six ODIs and 14 T20Is and is one of the prominent all-format players in the New Zealand set-up currently.