It is unclear whether Raina will be fit for the second ODI on October 20

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

India batsman Suresh Raina will miss the first ODI against New Zealand in Dharamsala on Sunday after being diagnosed with viral fever.

Raina fell the affects of the illness during Uttar Pradesh’s Ranji Trophy opener against Madhya Pradesh as he was unable to bat in both innings. Uttar Pradesh went on to lose the match by an innings and 64 runs.

Raina, who has not played ODI cricket since October last year, was recalled into the squad for the first three ODIs against New Zealand as MSK Prasad, India’s chairman of selectors, believed that his part-time spin would be beneficial, especially as regular spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were rested for the first three games.

It is a big blow for the 29-year-old, who would have been raring to take full advantage of his inclusion in the squad as he has only scored one ODI century in his last 26 innings.