K L Rahul ruled out of first Test with viral fever

India will be without the services of K L Rahul for the opening Test against Sri Lanka here from Wednesday after the opener was advised more rest to recover from his illness.

Rahul, who made his return to competitive cricket with a fluent half-century in the two-day match against Sri Lanka Cricket Board President’s XI last week, had stayed back in Colombo to undergo some medical tests. The right-hander was conspicuous by his absence during India’s practice session which lasted for more than three hours in sultry weather. Rahul was expected to join the team later on Monday.

While the tests have all come out negative and the progress has been “rapid” and “satisfactory”, the batsman is being rested as a precautionary measure. “The BCCI medical team confirms that opening batsman K L Rahul is presently down with viral fever. There are no major health concerns and he is making rapid progress, much to the satisfaction of the medical team,” said a BCCI release on Monday.

“As a precautionary measure, Rahul is advised further rest and hence will not be available for selection for the first Test match against Sri Lanka, which starts on July 26 at Galle. The medical team will continue to monitor Rahul’s progress.”

With Rahul being ruled out, it remains to be seen what the team combination is going to be for the first Test. Would they go with Shikhar Dhawan along with Abhinav Mukund or promote Cheteshwar Pujara to the top of the order to accompany one of the regular openers while accommodating Rohit Sharma in the middle order? Only time will tell.