BELFAST, June 27: The 'flu virus that has affected more than half of the India squad in Belfast is continuing to leave them with some difficult selection issues as they prepare for the second of three One-day Internationals against South Africa at Stormont here on Friday.

India, despite their illness problems, still managed to take Tuesday's series opener into the last over before South Africa, thanks mainly to captain Jacques Kallis's 91 not out, won by four wickets with three balls to spare.

Wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the first to fall ill, fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and medium-pacer Ajit Agarkar, all of whom were among the worst affected, missed that match.

But off-spinner Ramesh Powar and left-arm fast bowler Rudra Pratap Singh did take the field as India raised an XI.

Meanwhile Dravid, who made 74 in a stand of 158 with Sachin Tendulkar (99), did his best to lead from the front in a side where he said he himself, batsman Yuvraj Singh and left-arm quick Zaheer Khan were all ‘feeling a bit down’.

Replacement seamers Ishant Sharma, 18, who has played one Test, and uncapped seamer Ranadeb Bose, who had both been scheduled to join the Test party later on the tour, were due to arrive here on Wednesday.—AFP