Raina replaces ‘unfit’ Rayudu for England ODIs

Rayudu failed the fitness test, which has become mandatory for selection to the India and India A squads, at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore on Friday. 

Rayudu, 32, was earlier recalled to the national side after two years after a successful Indian Premier League but his joy has turned out to be short-lived.

Earlier in the month, Mohammed Shami was left out of the Indian Test squad for the Afghanistan game after failing the yo-yo test. Sanju Samson too was withdrawn from the A team’s tour of England for the same reason. On the other hand, Raina has earned a recall to the one-day side after going out of favour three years earlier. 

Raina, 31, last played an ODI in the home series against South Africa in November 2015. He has overall played 223 ODIs for 5568 runs and 36 wickets.

Earlier this year, Raina earned a recall to the Twenty20 International side for the tour of South Africa and also featured in the side that won the tri-nation Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka. Raina is also a part of the T20I side for the tour of England. India will play three ODIs in England with the first game on June 12 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.