Kane Williamson on Jeetan Patel's call up to the BlackCaps

Blacks Caps captain Kane Williamson says the team is excited by the return of in-form spinner Jeetan Patel.

Patel will replace an injured Mark Craig in the New Zealand test squad for the final two matches of their series in India.

"Jeets loves the game of cricket and loves playing for his country," Williamson said.

Francois Nel/Getty Images Jeetan Patel in action for Capricorn during the Oxigen Masters Champions League match between against Virgo Super Kings in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, earlier this year.

"It was perhaps unexpected. He has played a lot in England lately and almost considers himself a local in that part of the world but we know he's not and we are looking forward to having him back."

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"There is a number of other players from Wellington in the side who have spent a lot of time with Jeets and they're all very excited."

Paul Childs/Reuters Jeetan Patel, right, has been a star performer on the UK county circuit.

Patel, a veteran Wellington off-spinner was dropped from the Black Caps in 2013.

The following year he turned down an approach from coach Mike Hesson to tour the West Indies to stay with English county side Warwickshire.

That decision opened the door for Craig, who took his chance with both hands to bag 12 wickets in his first series.

Coincidentally, it is Craig's absence due to a side-strain which has opened the door for a international recall Kane Williamson likely undersold somewhat when he described it as "perhaps unexpected".

Williamson admitted Patel wasn't in their thinking in selecting their squad for the tour.

GALLO IMAGES Jeetan Patel bowls in his last test series against South Africa in 2013.

But the wily right-armer of Indian descent, who made his test debut in 2006 and has 52 wickets at an average of 48.46, would have definitely been on their radar.

Patel has gone from strength-to strength with Warwickshire since turning down Hesson's offer in 2014.

He was named the MVP by England's Professional Cricketers' Association in that same year and in 2015 was one of Wisden's five cricketers of the year.

In the latest English first class-season, which Warwickshire completed on Friday to prevent any clash, Patel finished with 69 wickets at 24.

"For Jeetan to come into the squad after a period of time away from the team is a great opportunity for him, and one the guys are all looking forward to having him and his experience in this side," Williamson said.

"He's been a quality performer for a long period of time and it is that like-for-like swap [with Craig] as well."

Patel is contracted for another season with Wellington, whose opening Plunket Shield four-day match starts on October 22.

He toured India with the New Zealand team in 2010 and 2012, collecting 10 wickets in three tests at 45.30.

Kiwi coach Mike Hesson said it was important to have an off-spinner in India and felt Patel fitted the bill perfectly.

"Jeetan is up to speed from a bowling load perspective having recently completed a successful county season - so he will be ready for the rigours of test cricket.

"He'll also add invaluable experience to our young spin group."

Craig, who bowled without luck in the first test for match figures of 2-139 off 47 overs, is expected to need around four weeks to recover.

Hesson also revealed that injured allrounder Jimmy Neesham may miss the entire test series.

Neesham, who missed the first test due to a rib injury, was expected to be available for the second test but Hesson told Radio Sport that the allrounder was still struggling and may not be fit for the third test.