Suresh Raina to miss 1st ODI against New Zealand

After clean sweeping the New Zealanders in the Test series 3-0 Team India will change the jersey and get ready to face the Kiwi challenge once again but in the 50 overs format. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni returns to the fold and this time he has a young side to his disposal. Along with the new faces named for the first three ODIs was southpaw Suresh Raina. But a couple of days ahead of the first match the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that Raina will miss the first ODI at Dharamshala.

BCCI posted a tweet – NEWS ALERT – Suresh Raina to miss Dharamsala ODI due to viral fever – @Paytm ODI Trophy #INDvNZ

BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke said in a media advisory said, “The BCCI Medical team has confirmed that Suresh Raina, who is recovering from a bout of viral fever, is ruled out of the first ODI of the Paytm ODI Trophy against New Zealand. There will be no replacement in the team,”

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He was earlier forced to retire mid-way from Uttar Pradesh’s first Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh and his team went on to concede the game by an innings and 64 runs. The Board hasn’t announced a replacement which means he will be available for selection in the 2nd ODI to be played at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi.

It was seen as a good chance for Raina to script his concrete comeback since he was picked as a senior member in the team given his ability with the ball as well. The left-hander had earlier missed out from the team on the tour of Australia and wasn’t considered for the 2-match T20 series against West Indies played in the United States of America either.