India’s build up to the second T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch took a sharp turn on Friday. Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper batter who has been a fixture in the white ball setup, was ruled out of Saturday’s game with a low grade right adductor strain, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India has already moved to name his replacement cover.
The BCCI confirmed the setback in a statement on its official channels, saying the 28 year old sustained the injury during the first T20I on Thursday, a match India won by four wickets after chasing down a stiff 226. The board’s medical team is monitoring his recovery, and there is no word yet on how long he will be out.
“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 statement said. “The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress.”
Kumar Kushagra added as cover
The men’s selection committee has added Kumar Kushagra to the squad for the second T20I. Kushagra, himself a wicketkeeper batter, is already in Christchurch with the India A squad and will link up with the senior team ahead of Saturday’s match. He now slots in as the backup keeping option behind Sanju Samson.
With Kishan unavailable, a batting order reshuffle is inevitable, and that is where the most talked about name in Indian cricket enters the picture: 15 year old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi get his chance?
The question doing the rounds ahead of Saturday is whether Kishan’s absence finally opens the door for Sooryavanshi at senior international level. India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak did little to dampen the excitement, telling reporters the teenager is “one of the strongest contenders” to step in if Kishan fails to recover in time.
Captain Shreyas Iyer had struck a more cautious note before the series began, saying the explosive opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson has been so consistent that the youngster cannot simply walk into the side. One option is to slot Sooryavanshi at No. 3, keeping the Samson Abhishek combination untouched at the top.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner admitted it would be “difficult to stop” Sooryavanshi if he plays, while adding that the home side has prepared plans to contain him.
How the injury changed Thursday’s chase
Kishan’s injury was more than a footnote to the first T20I. It forced India to shuffle the batting order mid game, with Tilak Varma pushed up to No. 3 and Kishan dropping down to No. 5. Neither move clicked with the bat: Tilak managed 6 off 11 balls, and Kishan made 1 off 3 before falling to Mitchell Santner.
India still finished the job. Sanju Samson anchored the chase with a sparkling 67 off 33 balls to earn player of the match, and late hitting from Naman Dhir helped the side overhaul 226 with four wickets in hand and two balls to spare. The result handed India a 1-0 lead in the five match series, and a win on Saturday would leave them one victory away from sealing it.
India’s updated squad for the second T20I
- Leaders: Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma (VC)
- Keepers: Sanju Samson (WK), Kumar Kushagra (WK)
- Batters: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Naman Dhir
- All rounders: Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Prince Yadav
- Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Mayank Yadav
FAQs
Why is Ishan Kishan not playing the second T20I?
He sustained a low grade right adductor strain during the first T20I against New Zealand on Thursday and has been ruled out of Saturday’s match on medical advice.
Who has replaced Ishan Kishan in the squad?
Kumar Kushagra has been added as cover for the second T20I. He was already in Christchurch with the India A squad.
Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play the second T20I?
He is in contention. India’s batting coach called him one of the strongest contenders, but the final playing XI will be decided at the toss.
When and where is the second T20I?
The match is in Christchurch on Saturday. India lead the five match series 1-0.
Informeia will track the toss and the playing XI on Saturday, and every twist of this series as India push for back to back wins.
