Dhoni leaves for Sri Lanka tour

Newly-married Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Saturday left for Sri Lanka to join the rest of the side for a three-match Test series and a tri-nation ODI series, starting July 18.

Dhoni, who was accompanied by his bride Sakshi Rawat, did not go with the squad on Friday as he stayed back to receive an honorary membership from the Madras Cricket Club on Friday evening.

The function was organised to acknowledge the Chennai Super Kings' title triumph in IPL-III under Dhoni's leadership.

India are without pace mainstay Zaheer Khan, who is nursing a shoulder injury. In his absence, S Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma will do the duty with the new ball.

After completing the Test assignment, India will play a tri-series, also involving New Zealand, from August 10.