India are facing a major headache over their openers for the tri-series match against New Zealand after Gautam Gambhir was ruled out of the tournament with an injury.

With Virender Sehwag still nursing a shoulder injury, Gambhir was expected to be team up with makeshift opener Dinesh Karthik at the top of the order for the first match against the Kiwis on Friday.

Gambhir, though, picked up a groin strain during practice in Sri Lanka on Thursday and was advised to rest. The injury also means he could miss India's warm-up games for the Champions Trophy in South Africa.

"Gautam Gambhir has strained his groin muscle and has been advised rest for ten days," BCCI secretary N Srinivasan said in a statement.

"He will be returning to India."

Dehi middle-order batsman Virat Kohli has been named as Gambhir's replacement for the tournament.