Sports · Cricket · 1 hr ago
Ishan Kishan is unlikely to play India’s second T20I against New Zealand
India batter Ishan Kishan has a groin strain and is unlikely to play the second T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said the injury was why Kishan batted at No.
5, rather than his usual No.
3, in the series opener.
The medical team will advise whether Kishan can play, and Kotak said he would need to recover fully.
If Kishan is unavailable, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could take his place.
Sooryavanshi has been waiting for a chance, with captain Shreyas Iyer saying before the first match that India’s regular openers, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, were scoring consistently.
India won the opener by chasing 226, with four wickets and two balls remaining, and the five-match series continues with Saturday’s game.
Ishan Kishan will miss India’s second T20I against New Zealand because of a low-grade right adductor strain sustained in the series opener.
The BCCI said its medical team is monitoring his progress but did not specify his recovery time.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is among the possible replacements for Kishan in India’s playing XI.
The second match is scheduled for October 24 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, with India leading the five-match series 1-0.
India won the opening match by four wickets, reaching a target of 226 with two balls to spare.
- Who
- India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan.
- What
- He is ruled out of the second T20I against New Zealand because of a right adductor strain.
- When
- The match is scheduled for October 24, 2026.
- Where
- Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand.
- Why
- He sustained a low-grade right adductor strain during the first T20I.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kishan sustained a right adductor strain during the series opener, which India won by four wickets.
The BCCI said Kishan was ruled out of the second T20I and that its medical team was monitoring his progress.
India are scheduled to play New Zealand in the second T20I at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
- Injury
- Low-grade right adductor strain
- Injury sustained
- During the first T20I against New Zealand
- Second T20I
- October 24, 2026
- Venue
- Hagley Oval, Christchurch
- Series score
- India lead the five-match series 1-0
- Possible replacement
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
6 sources
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Ishan Kishan out of 2nd T20I, Sooryavanshi will replace batter: Sitanshu Kotak
Ishan Kishan has groin niggle, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi might play in 2nd T20I against New Zealand: Sitanshu Kotak
What people are saying
Ishan Kishan is ruled out of the second T20I against New Zealand due to a low grade right adductor strain, which he sustained during the first T20I of the series,
Ishan Kishan has a groin niggle, that's why Tilak Varma was promoted. Ishan is also unlikely to play in the second T20I. If Ishan doesn’t play, unless he recovers completely, which the medical team will advise, Vaibhav could definitely step in for him. He is one of the strongest contenders,