The right handed opener from Karnataka will miss the first of the three tests against Sri Lanka starting from 26 July at Galle. Rahul, who was suffering from fever stayed back at Colombo for some observations whereas the rest of team traveled to Galle on Sunday.

The Indian opener who underwent a surgery after he suffered a shoulder injury while playing against Australia had to sit out for almost four months. He had to miss the 2017 edition of Indian Premier League and the Champions Trophy in England.

Rahul scored a fluent fifty on his comeback with seven fours before getting out in a two- day practice against Sri Lanka’s Board President XI.

While talking to the bcci.tv Rahul spoke about how it was tough for him to sit out and watch the team play. He went exhaustive training session at National Cricket Academy to get fit for this tour. He also mentioned that he is very cautious and fears that the injury might happen again.

An India team spokesperson while talking to ESPNcricinfo said that all the test results were negative and he is expected to join the team later on Monday.

Earlier Murali Vijay also opted out of the series citing wrist injury which he suffered in the Australia series. Vijay complained that he is feeling a pain in his right-hand wrist while preparing for the practice game.  Shikhar Dhawan flew to Sri Lanka to replace an injury, Murali Vijay. Despite being regular in ODI’s and T-20’s, Dhawan played his last test match in 2016 against New Zealand.

The opening slot has become a major area of concern for the Indian team and if Rahul fails to recover in the time ahead of the first, Abhinav Mukund will partner Dhawan to play his seventh test match.