The first Cricket Test against New Zealand beginning in Kanpur on Thursday, but the Ishant Sharma, India's pace spearhead, will miss the match as he is recovering from chikungunya.

"We'll be closely monitoring his progress with the doctors and then take a call on his fitness after this Test. For this Test, the team management has decided that we won't need a replacement. We'll have 14 players, and we'll select our team from them," said chief coach Anil Kumble.

Being a regular member of Test side, pacer Ishant played 72 matches for his Country. And the absence of the player would limit the bowling option to Mohammad Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav.