Ishant Sharma ruled out of World Cup

Sydney: Paceman Ishant Sharma has failed a fitness test on a knee problem and has been ruled out of the World Cup.

The 26-year-old missed the final test in the series against Australia in early January because of the knee injury and has not played since.

Mohit Sharma, who is in Australia as a standby, will replace his namesake in the squad once approval has been received to make the substitution.

Also 26, Mohit has played 12 ODIs and taken 10 wickets at an average of 40.50 with his right-arm medium pace since his debut against Zimbabwe in 2013.

India's lack of a strong pace attack to make the most of the Australasian wickets is expected to be a major hindrance to India's quest to retain the title they won in spin-friendly conditions on home soil in 2011.

There was better news for India's other injury concerns with batsman Rohit Sharma (hamstring), seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar (ankle) and all rounder Ravindra Jadeja (shoulder) all passing fitness tests.

India open their defence of the trophy against Pakistan in Adelaide next Sunday.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
Australia vs India - 1st Test 1st Test - West Indies v Bangladesh - November 22-26, 14:00 GMT 1st ODI - Zimbabwe v Pakistan - November 24, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Sri Lanka v New Zealand at Kandy No results 3rd T20I - Australia v Pakistan at Hobart Australia won by 7 wickets (with 52 balls remaining)

Related links

ICC World Cup 2015 News

ICC President Mustapha Kamal Resigns [+]

Mustafa Kamal has resigned as the president of the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Bangladeshi administrator announced on Wednesday.

No Indians in ICC World Cup XI [+]

New Zealand may have been thrashed by Australia in the World Cup final but they dominate the ICC's team of the tournament released Monday with Brendon McCullum named captain.

Australia Crush NZ to Win World Cup [+]

Australia overwhelm New Zealand by seven wickets to win the World Cup for a fifth time at a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground.

New Zealand opt to bat in final, Teams Unchanged [+]

New Zealand have won the toss and opted to bat against Australia in World Cup final at MCG on Sunday.

Clarke Announces ODI Retirement [+]

Sunday's World Cup final against New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground would be his last one-day international.

Australia Knocks India Out of World Cup [+]

Australia powered into the World Cup final with a 95-run victory over defending champions India in Sydney.

SCG Set to Turn Indian for Australia Semi-final [+]

India fans are likely to outnumber their Australian counterparts when the two teams clash in the World Cup semi-final in Sydney.

Brilliant Elliott Leads NZ to Maiden Final [+]

Grant Elliott hit a six off the penultimate delivery to secure New Zealand's place in the World Cup final with a thrilling four-wicket win at Eden Park, Auckland on Tuesday.

Adam Milne Ruled out of World Cup [+]

New Zealand fast bowler Adam Milne has been ruled out of the remainder of the cricket World Cup after suffering pain in his heel and has been replaced in the squad by Matt Henry, the team said on Monday.

Guptill Helps NZ into World Cup Semis [+]

New Zealand's Martin Guptill smashed the highest score in World Cup history with 237 not out against West Indies to send his team into the semi-finals.