In a major setback to India, pace spearhead Ishant Sharma has been ruled out of the first Test of the three-match series against New Zealand after failing to recover from Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral infection.
While confirming the news, India coach Anil Kumble said the team management had not asked for Ishant's replacement.
Ishant's absence means that India's pace bowling options would be now limited to Mohammad Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav.
The 28-year-old fast bowler has been a regular member for the side, having scalped 209 wickets in 72 Tests he played for India.
He had also claimed eight wickets at an average of 32.12 in the recently-concluded four Test matches against West Indies, with his best figures of 3 for 70 coming in the third Test in St Lucia.
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