Indian team director Ravi Shastri confirmed that opener Murali Vijay has not recovered in time to play the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. The right-hander has been one of India's most consistent scorers in recent times, and will be sorely missed. KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan will now open the batting for the visitors.
"Murali Vijay is still under recovery and we don't want to take a chance on him for the first Test. Especially with conditions like this (rain on and off). Ground might be slippery," Ravi Shastri said two days ahead of the first Test.
Vijay has enjoyed a purple patch in white flannels and was India's second highest scorer (after Virat Kohli) in the four-Test series in Australia earlier in 2015. His absence comes as a big blow, feels Shastri.
"He's the in form player, he's had a fabulous run in Test cricket. He will be missed because he's an experienced player now," Shastri said.
"He's the in form player, he's had a fabulous run in Test cricket. He will be missed because he's an experienced player now," Shastri said.
Earlier on Monday, Vijay was seen doing fitness drills separately but that wasn't enough for him to recover from his hamstring strain. Vijay's absence gives Rahul, who scored a sublime knock of 110 in only his second Test in Sydney, an opportunity to cement his spot in the side.