KL Rahul to miss Galle Test due to viral fever

Indian opener KL Rahul has been ruled out of the opening Test of the three-match series against Sri Lanka starting July 26 at the Galle due to high fever.

Confirming the news, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said that although Rahul is making rapid progress, he is advised further rest and hence he would not be available for selection for the Galle Test.

"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," the BCCI said in a release about Rahul, who missed the training on Monday,

"As a precautionary measure, 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 release added.

The BCCI also confirmed that the medical team would continue to monitor Rahul's progress.

The Karnataka-based batsman had just come out of a four-month long break after he injured his shoulder during the four-match series against Australia.

He then underwent surgery, subsequently missing the 2017 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Champions Trophy.

On his comeback, Rahul scored a quick fifty in the two-day warm-up match in Moratuwa, but he said he was nervous making his comeback after such a long lay-off.