Christchurch: India have suffered an injury setback ahead of the second T20I against New Zealand, with wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan ruled out of the match after sustaining a right adductor strain during the series opener.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Kishan will miss the second encounter after picking up a low-grade injury during Thursday’s opening T20I. The team management will continue to monitor his recovery as India prepare for the remainder of the five-match series.
Kishan’s absence comes after India began the series in impressive fashion, registering a memorable victory while chasing down a target of 226 runs to record their highest successful run chase in men’s T20I cricket.
The injury will be a concern for the Indian camp as the team looks to maintain its winning momentum and strengthen its position in the series.
India Begin Series With Record-Breaking Chase
India produced an outstanding batting performance in the opening match, chasing New Zealand’s target of 226 with four wickets remaining and two deliveries to spare.
Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma provided an aggressive start, with Samson scoring 67 runs and Abhishek contributing 29.
Shreyas Iyer then added valuable runs with a 42-run knock, while Naman Dhir remained unbeaten on 42. Axar Patel also played an important role, scoring 24 as India completed the chase in a thrilling finish.
The victory gave India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series and underlined the depth of their batting line-up.
Kishan’s Availability Under Watch
Kishan’s low-grade right adductor strain will now require careful management, with the BCCI monitoring his progress.
An adductor strain affects the muscles on the inner side of the thigh and can restrict movement and running, depending on its severity. The precise recovery timeline for Kishan has not been announced in the information provided.
His absence could prompt India to consider changes to their playing combination for the second T20I, depending on the team’s requirements and the availability of other players.
New Zealand, meanwhile, will be eager to bounce back after losing the opening match despite setting India a challenging target.
India vs New Zealand T20I Series Schedule
The second T20I is scheduled for October 24 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, where New Zealand will look to level the series.
The remaining fixtures are as follows:
Second T20I: October 24 – Christchurch
Third T20I: October 27 – Wellington
Fourth T20I: October 30 – Auckland
Fifth T20I: November 1 – Hamilton
India will aim to build on their strong start, while New Zealand will look to make the most of home conditions in the remaining matches.
India’s T20I Squad
Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav.
