The Black Caps will be without Kane Williamson for the start of their Test series against India after he picked up a groin strain in the second Test defeat in Galle.
Williamson will have a period of rehabilitation before joining the squad in India, with uncapped batsman Mark Chapman being called in as cover.
Black Caps selector Sam Wells said Williamson will play some part in the three-Test series which starts in Bengaluru next week.
"The advice we've received is that the best course of action is for Kane to rest and rehabilitate now rather than risk aggravating the injury," said Wells.
"We're hopeful that if the rehabilitation goes to plan Kane will be available for the latter part of the tour.
"While it's obviously disappointing to not have Kane available from the start of the tour, it provides an opportunity for someone else to play a role in an important series."
Williamson's injury has afforded Chapman an opportunity to play for the Black Caps in India.
Chapman, 30, has featured for the Black Caps in both white-ball formats and averages 41.9 runs in first-class cricket, achieving six centuries.
“We believe Mark is one of our best players of spin and has a proven track-record in the sub-continent,” said Wells.
“Mark has displayed an ability to play spin proactively in the international arena, and combined with his excellent first-class record, we see him as someone who can succeed in the type of conditions we expect to encounter in India.”
All-rounder Michael Bracewell will travel with the squad for the first Test in Bengaluru before returning home for the birth of his second child and will be replaced by Ish Sodhi for the remainder of the series.
The remainder of the squad is unchanged from the recent Test series against Sri Lanka, but the side will instead be led by Tom Latham after Tim Southee stepped down from the role last week.
Southee’s announcement came off the back of the Black Caps disappointing campaign in Galle which included a heavy loss at the hands of Sri Lanka by an innings and 154 runs.
Tom Latham has taken over from Southee as Test captain, having previously led the side on nine occasions when Kane Williamson was unavailable.
Former Sri Lankan spin-bowler Rangana Herath was part of the coaching staff for the recent Tests against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka and is set to continue his role as spin-coach for the India series.
The Black Caps currently sit sixth in the World Test Championship with three wins and five losses, while India lead the rankings with eight wins, two losses and a draw.
The Kiwis leave for Bengaluru on Friday ahead of their first Test against India starting October 16.
Black Caps squad for Test tour of India:
Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell (First Test only), Mark Chapman*, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi (second and third Test only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
Black Caps three-Test series vs India:
First Test – October 16-20, M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Second Test – October 24-28, MCA Stadium, Pune
Third Test – November 1-5, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
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