Dharamsala: The Indian Cricket team checked in Dharamsala without Suresh Raina, who has been ruled out of first ODI following a bout of viral fever. However, no replacement has been named for the left hander.

Raina played his last ODI for India in October 2015. He had been recalled to the squad for the first three matches of the five ODI series against New Zealand. MSK Prasad, India's chairman of selectors said "Raina's ability as a part time spin bowler was one of the factors behind his recall as the team's top spinners, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja had been rested for the matches.” However Raina's unavailability should open the door for Mandeep Singh's ODI debut. He was part of the T20 squad that toured Zimbabwe this year where he scored 31, 52* and 4.

Because of his illness, Raina could not participate in Uttar Pradesh's Ranji Trophy as opener against Madhya Pradesh last week. Raina was named captain of the Uttar Pradesh side, but did not bat in either innings as the team lost by an innings and 64 runs.

Raina was left out of ODI squads for the tours of Australia and Zimbabwe, and also missed the T20's against West Indies in the USA. He had a disappointing run in the Asia Cup and the Worls T20. In the Asia Cup, he scored 39 runs in three innings and 41 runs in four innings at World T20. Before his exclusion from ODI, he had managed to score only one century in 26 innings.