Major Tiwary, who was selected to play in the two-match Twenty20 International series against England, has been ruled out citing a side strain. He will be replaced by Baroda batsman Ambati Rayudu.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the decision through a press release Tuesday.

The 27-year-old Tiwary, who has played three T20Is for India, was picked by the All-India Senior Selection Committee Sunday for the matches to be played in Pune (Dec 20) and Mumbai (Dec 22).

This is Rayudu's, a right hand batsman, maiden call to the Indian team. The 27-year-old batsman is currently playing in the Ranji Trophy and has already hit four half-centuries and one hunred out of the six matches he has played this season.

India is yet to play the fourth and final Test match against England which starts Dec 13.