India Vs Sri Lanka: KL Rahul ruled out of 1st Test

Colombo, July 24: India's opening batsman KL Rahul has been ruled out of the first Test agianst Sri Lanka, which starts on Wednesday (July 26).

On Monday (July 24), the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) medical team confirmed that Rahul will not be available for selection for Galle Test as he is down with viral fever.

"The BCCI medical team confirms that opening batsman Mr. KL 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," a media advisory from BCCI said.

"As a precautionary measure, Mr. KL 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 Mr. KL Rahul's progress and keep you posted accordingly," it added.

In Rahul's absence, Abhinav Mukund is likely to partner Shikhar Dhawan at the top of the order. Rahul hit a half century in a two-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Board President's XI recently.

He had missed Indian Premier League (IPL) and ICC Champions Trophy due to shoulder injury, which he sustained during a Test against Australia in February.

OneIndia News