India's Raina to miss first ODI against New Zealand

29-year-old is suffering from viral infection

NEW DELHI: India's veteran middle order batsman Suresh Raina is ruled out of the opening ODI against New Zealand in Dharamsala with a viral infection.

The 29-year-old had been expected to play in Sunday's opening match after being named in the 15-member squad for the first three ODIs against the visitors.

There will be no replacement for Raina "who is recovering from a bout of viral fever", the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement.

The left-hander, who last played in October 2015, was overlooked for India's one-day series against Australia at the start of the year and against Zimbabwe in June.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni returns to lead the ODI team in the five-match series after the hosts whitewashed the Black Caps in the three Tests that concluded Tuesday in Indore.