Gambhir out of final Sri Lanka Test

This is a major setback to the Indian batting lineup, it was reported today that opener Gautam Gambhir has been ruled out of the final Test of the three match series against Sri Lanka.

As per the Indian cricket board's statement on Saturday, Gambhir will fly home to attend his sister's wedding which falls on December 3rd, which is also the second day of the third Test match at the Brabourne stadium in Mumbai. It is not yet known as to who will come in as a replacement to Gambhir, and the selectors have reduced the 15-member squad by one.

From what we've heard Tamil Nadu batsman Murali Vijay will in all probability join the team as a replacement and open along with Virender Sehwag. So the full lineup goes like this - Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Virender Sehwag, Murali Vijay, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Venkatsai Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Subramaniam Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Pragyan Ojha.

Of the above, Dhoni, Yuvraj, Tendulkar, Dravid, Harbhajan, Sehwag have been confirmed to play the final Test. Sreesanth, who made a superb comeback to Tests with his performance in the previous match will surely get a chance to play the final match. Unless of course, the selectors suddenly decide to drop an in-form bowler and include Ishant Sharma in the team.

The opening stand between Gautam Gambhir and Sehwag was vital for the match-winning score set up by India in the first innings. It remains to be seen if India can notch up a decent total without the services of the Delhi batsman. All eyes on Vijay.