Ishant Sharma down with chikungunya, out of 1st against NZ

Kanpur, Sep 20 (PTI) India’s seniormost fast bowlerIshant Sharma has been ruled out of the first cricket Testagainst New Zealand starting September 22 as he is recoveringfrom chikungunya, a viral that has been prevalent in theNational Capital Region (NCR). India’s chief coach Anil Kumble intimated themediapersons today. "Ishant Sharma is recovering from chikungunya and willnot be available for the first Test match. We have not askedfor any replacement and will choose our first XI from theavailable 14," chief coach Anil Kumble told mediapersons afterthe training session. Chikungunya fever has affected a lot of people in Delhiand adjoining areas with state’s health department issuingalerts for the citizen. Ishant is a resident of West Delhi’s Patel Nagar area. Ishant is the most experienced of India’s four pacerswith 209 wickets from 72 Tests. If India happen to go in with two pacers, then the likelychoices will be Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. PTI ZIRKHSKHS