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

India's chief coach Anil Kumble intimated the media persons. "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 XI from the available 14," chief coach Anil Kumble told mediapersons after the training session.

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. Ishant 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 will be Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.