India have suffered an injury setback ahead of the second T20I against New Zealand, with wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan ruled out of Saturday’s match in Christchurch due to a groin injury.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Friday that Kishan sustained a right adductor strain during the first T20I on Thursday. The injury is expected to keep him out of the second match of the five-game series.
Kishan’s fitness had come under scrutiny after India altered their batting order in the series opener. Tilak Varma was promoted to No. 3, Kishan’s usual position, while the left-handed batter came in at No. 5 and scored just one run off three deliveries before being caught near the leg-side boundary off Mitchell Santner.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak subsequently explained that the change was prompted by Kishan’s injury rather than a tactical decision.
“Ishan Kishan has a niggle in his groin,” Kotak said after the first T20I. He added that Kishan was unlikely to be available for one match.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in Contention for Replacement
Young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is the leading candidate to replace Kishan in India’s playing XI for the second T20I.
Sooryavanshi has been on the bench for India’s last four T20Is after featuring in the semi-final and final of the team’s victorious Asian Games campaign. His inclusion would provide India with a specialist batting option in place of the injured Kishan.
Kotak indicated that Sooryavanshi would be considered if Kishan failed to recover fully, although the final decision would depend on the medical team’s assessment.
“If Ishan can't play — unless he recovers completely, the medical team will tell us — then obviously Vaibhav comes into the calculations as a batter,” Kotak said.
India’s other available batting option is seam-bowling all-rounder Shivam Dube, but he is not considered a like-for-like replacement for Kishan.
India Begin Series With Thrilling Victory
Despite Kishan’s injury concerns, India made a winning start to the series, defeating New Zealand by four wickets in a high-scoring first T20I.
Chasing a target of 226, India reached the total with two balls remaining, thanks to an impressive batting performance from their middle order.
Sanju Samson led the charge with 67 off 33 deliveries, while Shreyas Iyer contributed 42 off 28 balls. Naman Dhir provided the finishing impetus with an unbeaten 42 off just 15 deliveries.
The victory gave India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series and strengthened their confidence ahead of the second encounter.
Christchurch to Host Second Consecutive T20I
The second T20I will take place at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, which is hosting its second consecutive match of the series.
Following the Christchurch fixture, the teams will travel to Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton for the remaining three T20Is, scheduled for October 27, October 30 and November 1.
The T20I series will be followed by five One-Day Internationals and two Test matches between the sides.
India will hope Kishan recovers quickly, while the team management must decide whether to bring Sooryavanshi into the playing XI as they look to extend their lead in the series.