India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the third T20I against New Zealand as he continues to recover from a right adductor injury. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Kishan is yet to regain match fitness, with the medical team continuing to monitor his progress.
The third match of the five-game T20I series is scheduled for October 27, 2026, in Wellington according to the report. Kishan will miss the match after also sitting out the previous one because of the injury he sustained during the series opener in Christchurch.
The setback means India will have to rethink their wicketkeeping and batting combinations without the left-handed batter. His availability for the remaining matches will depend on his recovery and the assessment of the BCCI medical team.
BCCI monitors Ishan Kishan’s recovery
Kishan reportedly sustained the injury to his right adductor during the opening T20I against New Zealand. An adductor injury affects the muscles on the inner side of the thigh and can make running, changing direction and other cricketing movements difficult.
The BCCI stated that Kishan had not yet achieved the level of fitness required for the third T20I. The team management is checking his health, will keep an eye on him and will assess him as he gets back to action.
Morne Morkel, India's bowling coach, also spoke about the batter's fitness at the pre-match press conference. According to the report, Morkel said Kishan was recovering well and would train, but would not be considered for the upcoming match as a precaution.
The decision to keep him out of the team will allow the management of the team to evaluate his recovery more time to assess his recovery and not rush him back into competitive cricket before he is ready to get into the squad and bring him back too soon; with him being sidelined before he is ready to play cricket.
Kumar Kushagra named as replacement cover
The BCCI has reportedly brought in Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra as cover for Kishan ahead of the third T20I. Kushagra, who has played for India A, will provide another wicketkeeping option for the team while Kishan remains unavailable.
His inclusion gives the team more flexibility in selecting the playing XI. But being named as cover does not automatically guarantee a place in the starting team. The final combination will depend on the team's requirements and the management's assessment of who is available.
Kishan's absence could affect India's middle-order options, depending on the role of the replacement and the team's preferred batting order.
Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi get an opportunity to open?
Another talking point ahead of the third T20I is the role of teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The young player was reported to have been in the starting team of India’s second T20I match, batting at No. 3 while Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma were the opening batsmen.
With Kishan out again, the team management can consider different batting combinations. One possibility is to stick with the current opening pair and keep Sooryavanshi at No. 3. If the team believes a change would bring a better balance, they can change the order.
However, whether Sooryavanshi gets an opportunity to open remains uncertain until India announces their playing XI.
India is waiting for further fitness updates
Kishan’s immediate focus will be to recover fully from the adductor injury. His progress will be important as India continues their five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
For now, Kumar Kushagra's inclusion provides cover, while the team must figure out how best to arrange the batting and wicketkeeping options for the third match.
Comments