India have been struck down by illness, with more than half of their 14-man squad suffering, on the eve of their opening one-day international against South Africa at Stormont here Tuesday and have had to call up reinforcements for their tour of the United Kingdom.
India captain Rahul Dravid told reporters at Stormont that wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the first to fall ill, fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, medium-pacer Agit Agarkar, off-spinner Ramesh Powar and left-arm quick Rudra Pratap Singh were all suffering from viral fever and 'flu.
Dravid added he too was feeling unwell as were batsman Yuvraj Singh and left-arm pace bowler Zaheer Khan. "Quite a few boys in our team are suffering from viral fever and 'flu," and symptoms of that kind," Dravid explained. "Sreesanth, Agit Agarkar, Dhoni, RP Singh and Ramesh Powar have not come to practice today (Monday).
Uncapped 28-year-old Baroda pace bowler Rakesh Patel, who has been playing club cricket in Liverpool, north-west England, has been called up to India's one-day squad. Meanwhile 18-year-old quick Ishant Sharma, who has played one Test, and uncapped seamer Ranadeb Bose, both due to join the Test squad later this tour, have been drafted in with a view to being available for the second of three one-day internationals against South Africa at Stormont on Friday.
London-based Nitin Patel will provide cover for injured India physiotherapist John Gloster who tripped over a boundary rope at Stormont last Friday and broke his hand. India and South Africa are set to complete their series on Sunday.
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