Pathan bowled just 24 of 205 overs for India in the second Test

Ashish Nehra has replaced injured pace colleague Irfan Pathan in India's squad for the third Test against Australia, which starts in Nagpur on 26 October.

Pathan slightly injured the side of his torso while bowling during the second Test, which ended in a rain-hit draw.

India hope star batsman Sachin Tendulkar will play, though he was also in the squad for the first two Tests yet missed out with an elbow injury.

"I'm keeping my fingers crossed," skipper Sourav Ganguly said.

The addition of left-arm seamer Nehra to cover for Pathan is the only change in the 15-member squad.

We can't chop and change players on the basis or one or two games Sourav Ganguly

"Irfan suffered the injury on the first morning of the Test," Ganguly explained.

"We hope he will be fit for the final Test in Bombay."

Ganguly pledged his support for wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, who came in for some criticism after dropping three catches and conceding 26 byes.

"We can't chop and change players on the basis or one or two games," the skipper said.