BELFAST, June 28: Paceman Shanthakumaran Sreesanth has been ruled out of India's second One-day International against South Africa here at Stormont on Friday. The fast bowler missed the opening match of a three-game series on Tuesday where South Africa beat India by four wickets.

India captain Rahul Dravid, after Sreesanth didn't turn up for practice on Thursday, told reporters: “Sreesanth is still not well. He's definitely not well enough to play tomorrow (Friday).”

Dravid added batsman Gautam Gambhir had joined a sick list featuring wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni and seamer Ajit Agarkar.

“Gautam Gambhir has also had a bit of a viral fever so he's in the hotel,” said Dravid as heavy rain, which meant outdoor practice was impossible, forced the players to concentrate on gym work.

“Ajit Agarkar and Dhoni seem to have recovered but we would have loved to have had them practice today because they've not played cricket for a week and to have an idea of exactly how they are feeling.”

Pace bowling reinforcements Ranadeb Bose and Ishant Sharma, both of whom had been due to join up for the Test series against England later this tour, arrived on Wednesday.

But Sharma's was not a trouble-free trip, as Dravid explained: “Ishant, unfortunately, his kit got lost on the way but hopefully we should be able to trace that back.”

Dravid said the illness within the India camp which had seen the likes of left-arm quick Rudra Pratap Singh and off-spinner Ramesh Powar play on Tuesday despite not being fully fit, was posing selection problems.

“We have an idea but it's all dependent on who is fully fit and available. We will have to wait on Gautam and see how he is before we make a call on that.

“Dhoni, being a batsman and a wicket-keeper, might not be that much of a concern,” Dravid added.—AFP