Ishan Kishan rested for third T20I vs New Zealand; Kushagra added

Ishan Kishan will miss the third T20I against New Zealand as a precaution, Morne Morkel said at the pre-match press conference. The wicketkeeper-batter is already out of the second game, and uncapped Kumar Kushagra has been added to the squad as cover.

Morkel said Kishan is training and doing well, and that keeping him out of the third match is only a precautionary step. India lead the five-match series 2-0.

The injury details

According to a BCCI media advisory, Kishan sustained a low-grade right adductor strain during the first T20I against New Zealand. He then missed the second match, and teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi came into the playing XI in his place.

The BCCI advisory, dated 23 October, said the Men’s Selection Committee had added Kumar Kushagra, a wicketkeeper-batter, to the squad as cover.

Recent form

India have won both T20Is so far in the New Zealand vs India T20I Series 2026, each by 4 wickets. On 22 October they chased down New Zealand’s 225/4 by reaching 230/6 in 19.4 overs. On 24 October New Zealand made 180/5 and India replied with 181/6 in 19.5 overs.

What’s next

The third T20I is on Tuesday, 27 October at 12:30 PM IST. The fourth follows on Friday, 30 October and the fifth on Sunday, 1 November, both also at 12:30 PM IST.

For Indian fans, the question is whether Sooryavanshi keeps his place in the XI for the third match. The side has not been named in the sources.