The Indian cricket team too hasn’t been spared by the chikungunya scourge, as India pacer Ishant Sharma has been ruled out of the first Test match at Kanpur because of the viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes.
Speaking to the media in Kanpur, India's coach Anil Kumble confirmed Ishant's absence and clarified that India have not asked for a replacement. That leaves three pace bowlers to pick from - Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
According to a report in The Times of India, “Ishant, 28, is the most experienced bowler in India's squad for the three Test matches against New Zealand. In 72 Tests, he has claimed 209 wickets. He featured in all four Tests in the West Indies recently, from which he took eight wickets.”
Meanwhile, a report in Indian Express quotes quoting Anil Kumble saying, “We will be closely monitoring his progress with the doctors, and then we will take a call about his fitness after this Test. As we have 14 members, for this Test match the team management has decided we won’t need a replacement.”
In Ishant’s absence, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami had an extended session at the nets.
According to a report in The Deccan Chronicle, this is the first fitness related issue that India have faced in the lead-up to the Test series.
“On the other hand, NZ are already missing the services of Tim Southee and Jimmy Neesham. NZ coach Mike Hesson had informed that Neesham will miss the first test due to a rib injury. Neesham was struck with a ball in the nets. The Blacks Caps also lost strike bowler Tim Southee for the series with an injured ankle, calling in Matt Henry as a replacement,” says the report.
