Wriddhiman Saha ruled out of Afghanistan test

Wriddhiman Saha has been ruled out from the one-off test against Afghanistan with a thumb injury that will need up to six weeks to heal.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the news on Saturday.

The 33-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman injured his right thumb while playing for Hyderabad against Kolkata in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs on May 25.

Saha will be replaced by Dinesh Karthik for the match starting June 14 in Bengaluru, when Afghanistan will make their debut in the five-day format after being granted full member status along with Ireland last June.

"He was under observation by the medical staff of the BCCI and the management has decided to give him adequate rest before the start of the England test series," the BCCI said in a statement. 

"Saha`s recovery period is expected to be around five to six weeks."

Saha has been India's regular gloveman since the retirement of former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in December 2014. 

He has played 32 tests and averages above 30 with the bat.