Ravindra Jadeja taken to hospital, doubtful for first Test

Team India has been dealt a blow before the start of their South Africa tour, with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in doubt for the first Test after being taken to hospital following a bout of viral illness.

According to a release by the BCCI, Jadeja had been suffering from the illness for the last two days and was under constant monitoring by the BCCI medical staff. A local medical team was also put at his disposal to assess his condition further.

However, with his condition not improving, the BCCI medical team, after consulting the local medical staff, decided that it will be best to take Jadeja to the hospital for further treatment. He is expected to fully recover in the next 48 hours, but the extent of his recovery has put his participation for India's first international game of 2018 in doubt.

A call on his participation will be taken on the morning of the first Test, set to begin on January 5th at Cape Town.

Shikhar Dhawan, who had been suffering from an ankle injury, has recovered in time and is fit for selection. Dhawan, who was seen limping on one leg as the team left for South Africa just before the turn of the new year, was in full flow during the team's training session.

Virat Kohli had earlier said that the conditions in South Africa might allow only one spinner to be accommodated in the playing XI. With Jadeja doubtful, India might field Ravichandran Ashwin as the sole spinner, with three pacers likely to combine with him to complete the bowling attack.