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Rahul out of first Sri Lanka Test with fever

July 25, 2017
India's cricket team captain Virat Kholi runs to the ball next to his teammate Hardik Pandya during the practice session in Galle, ahead of their first Test match against Sri Lanka. — Reuters
India's cricket team captain Virat Kholi runs to the ball next to his teammate Hardik Pandya during the practice session in Galle, ahead of their first Test match against Sri Lanka. — Reuters

GALLE, Sri Lanka — India have ruled opening batsman Lokesh Rahul out of the first Test against Sri Lanka starting Wednesday due to viral fever. Rahul, who scored a half-century in a two-day warm-up match last week, stayed in Colombo as the rest of the squad practiced in Galle.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India said Monday that Rahul has "no major health concerns" but will miss the first Test as a "precautionary measure". Rahul, who missed the Champions Trophy last month and a short tour of the West Indies with a shoulder injury, played a vital role in India's Test series win over Australia in March despite getting injured during the first match.

The 25-year-old averages over 44 in 17 Tests since making his debut for India against Australia at Melbourne in 2014. He has scored four hundreds and seven half-centuries. Shikhar Dhawan, who replaced injured Murali Vijay in the 16-man squad for the three-Test series, and Abhinav Mukund are the other openers in the Indian squad.

New India coach Ravi Shastri will Wednesday look to prove his team remains the world's best Test side when they take on Sri Lanka in the first of three matches. Shastri, who took over the demanding role after Anil Kumble's acrimonious exit last month, has backed India to continue the "fearless brand of cricket" that helped them regain the number one position last year from Pakistan.

While India lost the Champions Trophy final to their arch-rivals, the Virat Kohli-led side is on a roll after winning 10 of the last 13 Tests, overcoming top sides like New Zealand, England and Australia. "They know their job. They are professional cricketers. Once they step on the field they take over. That is how it should be," said Shastri, who became head coach after Kumble quit over his "untenable" relationship with Kohli.

"My role will be to get the guys (to) express themselves and play (a) fearless brand of cricket," the former all-rounder added.

While India start as overwhelming favorites after the seventh-ranked Sri Lanka scraped past Zimbabwe in a one-off Test last week, Shastri has warned against complacency.

"Sri Lanka can't be taken lightly at home. Their track record playing at home is as good as any another team. We would look to improve in the series," said the 55-year-old.

The visitors have played a two-day warm-up game in Colombo with returning batsman Shikhar Dhawan among the scorers.

India could start with three spinners and use left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav with the experienced Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

Ashwin said Shastri's presence has always had a "postive influence" on the team, adding that the players were looking to work together with the coach for some amazing results.

"Ravi bhai has been a fabulous person to have in the dressing room. Even when he was here last time, we lost that Test in Galle and (he) really picked us up from that low point in our careers," Ashwin told reporters Monday.

Sri Lanka, whose new Test skipper Dinesh Chandimal has been ruled out through flu, will need all the experience of stand-in-captain Rangana Herath. The left-arm spinner, who took 11 wickets against Zimbabwe and his 31st five-wicket haul in 81 Tests, is key for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's pace lineup has been bolstered by the return of veteran Nuwan Pradeep, who is likely to start at Galle International Stadium. Dhananjaya de Silva adds muscle to their strong batting arsenal, comprising former captain Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga and Niroshan Dickwella.

Sri Lanka have named uncapped left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara in their squad for the first Test. While Pushpakumara has not had a chance at international level yet, the canny 30-year-old spinner will hope to step out of Herath's shadow if he is given the nod to face India, the world's top ranked test side.

Sri Lanka's interim coach Nic Pothas said the team should take inspiration from Kohli's men who overcame a 1-0 deficit to beat the islanders in a three-Test series in 2015.

The triumph resurrected India's fortunes as they registered their first series win in Sri Lanka for 23 years and went on to become the number one Test side again a year later.

"I think we probably are in the same situation that Virat was talking about the Indian team being in a few years ago. We are in that rebuilding phase," said Pothas. The South African, who took charge after Graham Ford's exit last month, added he was focused on changing the team's culture and unleashing their potential.

Squads:

Sri Lanka: Rangana Herath (Captain), Upul Tharanga, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Malinda Pushpakumara, Nuwan Pradeep.

India: Virat Kohli (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice captain), Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhinav Mukund.


July 25, 2017
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