India lose bat before match

INDIA have ruled opening batsman Lokesh Rahul out of the first Test against Sri Lanka starting tonight (Qld time) because of a viral fever.

Rahul, who scored a half-century in a two-day warm-up match last week, stayed in Colombo as the rest of the squad practised in Galle.

Rahul, who missed the Champions Trophy last month and a tour of the West Indies with a shoulder injury, played a vital role in India’s series win over Australia in March despite getting injured during the first match.