Ishant, Bose, Rakesh being rushed to Ireland to join 'unwell' team

New Delhi, June 25 (UNI) Delhi pacer Ishant Sharma and Bengal's Ranadeb Bose, alongwith Baroda's Rakesh Patel are being rushed to join the 'unwell' Indian team at Ireland for the three-match ODI series against South Africa.

A day after their comfortable win against Ireland in the opening match of the three-month long tour, India is struggling to find 11 fit players for the opening game against the Proteas tomorrow with Sachin Tendulkar, Ajit Agarkar, S Sreesanth, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, RP Singh, Ramesh Powar and Robin Uthappa, Piyush Chawla, all suffering from a bout of viral fever.

BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah confirmed that both the pacers -- Ishant and Ranadeb, who were selected for the Test series against Enngland starting July 19, will leave within two days to join the unwell team.

Ajit Agarkar, S Sreesanth and Mahendra Singh Dhoni are still to recover fully and as a precautionary measure the team management after consulting the Board has requested Baroda fast bowler Rakesh Patel of Baroda who is currently playing league in England to reach Ireland tomorrow.

Patel was the third highest wicket-taker in last season's Ranjji Trophy, finishing with 37 scalps at an impressive average of 21.

Dhoni, who missed the opening game, appears to have been hit the worst as he also missed the opening match against hosts Ireland.

The Board has also decided to send London-based physio Nitin Patel to help the injury-plagued team after John Golster broke his hand and had to laeve for a surgery.

UNI