India paceman Ishant Sharma has been ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury.

The 26-year-old has failed to recover after suffering the problem during the Boxing Day Test against Australia and, after missing the tri-series against Australia and England, has been replaced in the world champions' squad by Mohit Sharma.

Ishant's injury is the latest setback for India ahead of their World Cup defence, after they failed to win a game during the recently-completed tri-series.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side are still looking for their first win in Australia since arriving Down Under in November.

The International Cricket Council confirmed that right-armer Mohit, who has taken 10 wickets in 12 ODIs, had been brought in as the more experienced Ishant's replacement.

"The ICC has confirmed that the Event Technical Committee of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 has approved Mohit Sharma as a replacement player for Ishant Sharma in India's squad for the tournament, which starts on 14 February."

India's first game of the World Cup is against rivals Pakistan in Adelaide on February 15.