Dhawan declared fit, Jadeja doubtful for the first Test against South Africa

In what comes as a good news for Team India, opener Shikhar Dhawan has been declared fit and available for selection for the first Test starting on January 5 in Cape Town.

In what comes as a good news for Team India, opener Shikhar Dhawan has been declared fit and available for selection for the first Test starting on January 5 in Cape Town.

"India opener Shikhar Dhawan is fit and is available for selection for the first Test. Dhawan had suffered a minor ankle injury before the team's departure to South Africa," the BCCI said in a statement.

Dhawan, who had suffered an ankle injury and was seen limping when India left for South Africa, bated for long hours in nets on Wendesday. There was no sign of stiffness and he moved quite well both on front and back foot, facing the Indian seamers with ease.

However, it is unlikely that Dhawan will take the field on Friday as right-handed opening batsman KL Rahul is set to open the innings with Murali Vijay.

Meanwhile all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been suffering from viral illness for the past two days. He is racing against time to be fit for the series opener.

"The BCCI Medical Team in consultation with the local medical team has decided that Jadeja will be taken to a hospital for treatment and expects him to fully recover in the next 48 hrs. A decision on his availability for selection for the opening Test against South Africa will be taken on the morning of the match (Friday)," it added. If India go ahead with the expected three pacers and a spinner combination, Ravichandran Ashwin is likely to get the nod ahead of Jadeja.