Ahmedabad, Nov 23: Left arm spinner Murali Kartik is a doubtful starter for the first of the three-test match series between India 'A' and Sri Lanka 'A', beginning at here today, as he is running a high temperature.
Kartik, who conceded only 30 runs and grabbed the vital wicket of Australian skipper Ricky Ponting in the TVS Cup Triangular Series final on November 18, did not practice at the nets yesterday due to fever.
"Unfortunately, he (Kartik) is down with flu and is unlikely to play tomorrow. Only a miraculous recovery will enable him to play", India 'A' coach Sandeep Patil told reporters after the net practice yesterday.
Patil said the series would give the experienced players an opportunity to prove their mettle and catch the attention of selectors.
"It is an exellent opportunity...Especially for Mohammad Kaif and Hemang Badani to get some practice for the longer version of the game", he said.



Apart from Kaif, India A skipper Shiv Sundar Das will also strive to impress with the bat to regain the opener's slot, which has evaded him for over a year now since India's tour to West Indies last year.



"It's a new challenge and this is a very important series as also the first first-class match for me of the season. I hope to score a lot of runs", Das said.


Bureau Report