Ashish Nehra will replace Irfan Pathan in the Indian team for the third Test, beginning in Nagpur on October 26.

Pathan suffered a side strain on day 1 of the second Test, which ended in a draw on Monday after rain washed out play on the final day, and hasn't recovered.

Otherwise, there is no change in the team that was named for the first two Tests.

The selection committee took over two hours to arrive at that decision.

India skipper Sourav Ganguly said the selectors also decided to give wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, who had a rather poor match in the second Test, another chance.

"A lot of things were discussed other than cricket and that is why the selection meeting took over two hours. The team is the same, except one change, Ashish Nehra coming in for Irfan Pathan," said Ganguly.

"Pathan is out with a side strain he suffered on the first day of the second Test. His injury won't heal sufficiently in time to allow him to play the third Test in Nagpur, but he should be fit for the Mumbai Test," he added.

Patel's dismal showing in the Test meant that his inclusion in the squad was a hotly debated topic. The selectors also discussed Dinesh Karthik but in the end the team management got its wish and Patel was retained.

"There was a lot of discussion about Parthiv Patel but I have seen him keep much better in other matches in India and abroad and it would be unfair to drop him on the basis of one bad performance.

"Both our spinners felt that we should give Parthiv another game. It is just not my decision. Parthiv'a batting is a consideration, but it is his keeping that matters. Personally, as a captain, I have a lot of faith in him," Ganguly said.

Sachin Tendulkar was chosen as the 15th member of the squad and will play if his injury heals in time.

"Sachin is still in the squad and we are keeping our fingers crossed and hoping that he will be back to full fitness before the Nagpur Test begins on October 26." said Ganguly.

The squad (click to see the player's record): Sourav Ganguly (captain), Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, V V S Laxman, Aakash Chopra, Mohammad Kaif, Yuvraj Singh, Parthiv Patel (wk), Ashish Nehra, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Murali Karthik, Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan