Sehwag to lead in the third Test

In a major setback for India, Rahul Dravid will for the first time ever miss a Test match after he was today ruled out with gaestroentiritis from the third Test against Sri Lanka starting at Ahmedabad tomorrow.

Virender Sehwag will act as captain in Dravid's absence as India, 1-0 ahead in the three match series, look to end their campaign on a winning note at the Motera stadium. Incidentally, Sehwag missed the second Test in his home town of Delhi with a viral infection. Wasim Jaffer, Mumbai opener, and Mohammad Kaif were named in the 12 to play tomorrow.

Dravid, 32, made his debut in 1996 in England and had until now featured in 94 consecutive Tests. The Karnataka batsman, named captain in place of Sourav Ganguly this season, is the sixth most capped Indian player.

M Baladitya, the media manager, said the captain, who was admitted in a local hospital last night after complaining of nausea and weakness, needed at least another two days to recover fully. Dravid was a doubtful starter going into the second Test as well after catching a viral fever."He has not shown much improvement. He is still weak and needs another 48 hours to recover," Baladitya said. "The IV fluids and antibiotics have made him weak."