India fast bowler Ishant Sharma has been ruled out of the first Test against New Zealand starting in Kanpur from September 22 as he is recovering from chikungunya, a viral that has been prevalent in the National Capital Region (NCR).
India coach Anil Kumble said they have not asked for any replacements as Ishant is expected to recover in time for the remaining matches of the three-match series.
"Ishant Sharma is recovering from chikungunya and will not be available for the first Test match. We have not asked for any replacement and will choose our first eleven from the available 14," coach Kumble said after India's training session in Kanpur, on Tuesday.
Chikungunya fever has affected a lot of people in Delhi and adjoining areas with state's health department issuing alerts for the citizen.
Ishant is a resident of West Delhi's Patel Nagar area.
He is the most experienced of India's four pacers with 209 wickets from 72 Tests.
If India happen to go in with two pacers, then the likely choices would be Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Image: India's Ishant Sharma during a nets session
Photograph: Getty Images.