India pacer Ishant Sharma down with chikungunya, to miss first Test vs NZ

India fast bowler Ishant Sharma has been ruled out of the first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur, which starts on September 22, as he is recovering from chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral infection.

Ishant Sharma

In a media briefing, India coach Anil Kumble, said the team management had not asked for a replacement for Ishant. In Ishant's absence, India have pace options in Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav.

Ishant's illness is the first fitness concern that a full-strength India side have faced in the lead-up to the Test series. Ishant has been a regular member of the Test side, having played 72 matches for his country. He picked up eight wickets at an average of 32.12 in the recently-concluded four-match Test series against West Indies.