Virender Sehwag's absence poses the dilemma of who will open with Gautam Gambhir © Getty Images

Virender Sehwag, the Indian vice-captain, is extremely unlikely to play the second Test against Sri Lanka beginning in Delhi on Saturday. He is suffering from a throat infection and fever and was admitted to a local hospital on Thursday. Rahul Dravid is expected to play, though he missed a net session because of fever.

Though Sehwag's health has improved, the doctors have advised him against any physical stress over the next few days. "He [Sehwag] has not been able to swallow food or water and was therefore put on intravenous medication," SP Byotra, a senior doctor of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, told PTI. "His body temperature was also near normal. But if you ask me whether he should be playing tomorrow, my advice will be that he should avoid the game and take rest for at least five to six days."

Baladitya, the team's media manager, said that there was no issue over Mohammad Kaif leaving the practice session midway. "Kaif went through all the drills. He is perfectly fine. He took the permission of the coach before leaving."

Greg Chappell, the India coach, refused to speculate on who would be captain in case both Dravid and Sehwag did not play. "I don't want to answer that. It is a hypothetical question. If and when that happens, we will deal with that."