Praveen Kumar to miss first ODI against NZ

Praveen Kumar will miss the first ODI against New Zealand in Guwahati on November 28 because of a fever, the BCCI has said in a statement. Ashish Nehra has been picked to replace him after passing a fitness test. Nehra, who has been one of India's first-choice seamers in the shorter versions of the game, played the ODI series against Australia, but was not part of the squad for the first two ODIs against New Zealand, despite a number of players being rested.

Following the Australia series, Nehra made himself available for Test cricket again, six-and-a-half years after he last turned out in whites. However, he was not included in the Test team that will tour South Africa. Since his international comeback in June 2009, Nehra has played 36 one-dayers, taking 54 wickets at an average just under 30. More importantly, he has not missed a single game due to fitness issues or injuries.