India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the second T20I against New Zealand after suffering a low-grade right adductor strain during the series opener in Christchurch. The match is scheduled to take place at Hagley Oval on Saturday, October 24, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirming that its medical team is monitoring the batter’s recovery. In an official statement released on Friday, the BCCI confirmed Kishan’s unavailability for the upcoming fixture.
“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. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress,” the board stated.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak revealed that Kishan’s injury was the primary reason behind the change in India’s batting order during the first T20I. The left-hander came in at No. 5 instead of his usual No. 3 position, prompting questions about the team management’s decision. Kotak explained that Kishan had been struggling with a groin strain and was unlikely to recover in time for the second match. He also identified teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as a strong contender to replace the injured wicketkeeper-batter.
“There was a lot of speculation I have also seen, just because Ishan had a strain in his groin, the batting order was changed,” Sitanshu Kotak told reporters, adding that it was unlikely Kishan would feature in the next match.
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He further indicated that Sooryavanshi could receive an opportunity if Kishan failed to recover completely, subject to the medical team’s assessment. India began the five-match T20I series with an impressive four-wicket victory, chasing down New Zealand’s target of 226 with two balls to spare. However, Tilak Varma’s promotion to No. 3 ahead of Kishan attracted attention.
𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲:
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.
The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress.
#TeamIndia | #NZvIND https://t.co/QbZpuVh1hQ
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 23, 2026
Varma managed only six runs off 11 deliveries before being dismissed by Michael Bracewell, while Kishan scored just one run from three balls against Mitchell Santner. With Kishan unavailable, India could consider reshuffling their middle order or handing Sooryavanshi an opportunity in the playing XI.
The 15-year-old last represented India at the Asian Games, featuring in the semi-final against Sri Lanka and the final against Pakistan. He subsequently remained on the bench throughout the five-match T20I series against the West Indies. Before the opening match against New Zealand, captain Shreyas Iyer had stressed that Sooryavanshi would need to wait for his opportunity because of the established opening partnership between Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson.
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Iyer also highlighted the value of exposing the youngster to overseas conditions, suggesting the experience would help prepare him for future assignments. Sooryavanshi has already demonstrated his potential in franchise cricket, scoring 776 runs for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. In eight T20Is for India, he has accumulated 246 runs at a strike rate of 186.36, including two half-centuries. With Kishan sidelined, the upcoming match could provide Sooryavanshi with an opportunity to make an impact on the international stage, depending on the team management’s final selection.
