Shikhar Dhawan is a doubtful starter for Dharamsala ODI against Sri Lanka

Team India has been handed another blow in the build-up to the 1st ODI against Sri Lanka, as specialist opener Shikhar Dhawan might not be available due to a viral fever . One can expect a slight change in the opening slot, with maybe Rahane slotting into the openers role.

As per the reports from Wah Cricket, Shikhar Dhawan is a doubtful starter for the opening encounter against Sri Lanka as he encountered a viral fever on Friday. However, this might not be a big problem for India as Ajinjkya Rahane is in the cover to play his innings if Dhawan is out of contention.

The Indian skipper Rohit Sharma will partner Ajinkya Rahane alongside him to tick the flow of runs. Earlier, it was the middle-order batsman Kedar Jadhav who was ruled out of the Sri Lanka series due to a hamstring injury.

Kedar Jadhav’s absence gives Washington Sundar a good chance to spice it up in the middle-order. Ajinkya Rahane’s recent form is one thing that is troubling him as well as the team. His string of paltry scores in the Test series is a testimony to the fact, and he along with the team management would be hoping that he could get some runs under his belt tomorrow(if he plays)

It will be interesting to see how the Indian team management would come up with the idea of planning things, as a few reports suggested that Rahane could slot into the number 3 role, as Virat Kohli is absent for the series. But Dhawan’s sickness could mean that Rahane might have to slot into the opener’s role and Iyer would have to take up duty as India’s number 3