Ishan Kishan ruled out of second T20I against New Zealand with adductor strain
Kishan's injury opens the door for Sooryavanshi to return to India's playing XI for the second T20I.
Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the second T20I against New Zealand on Saturday due to a low-grade right adductor strain sustained during the series opener in Christchurch. The BCCI medical team is monitoring his progress, and the injury is expected to keep him out of the match at Hagley Oval.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is among the options to replace Kishan if the wicketkeeper does not recover in time. The 15-year-old has already made his senior international debut and was part of India's gold-medal-winning team at the 2026 Asian Games. Kotak said Sooryavanshi is one of the strongest contenders for selection.
India won the first T20I by four wickets after chasing down New Zealand's 225 for 4. Captain Shreyas Iyer had previously indicated that Sooryavanshi would need to wait for opportunities behind established openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson.
CricHubb Take
Sooryavanshi's potential inclusion would test whether India is prepared to accelerate the 15-year-old's development by exposing him to overseas conditions rather than preserving him for home conditions only.