CHRISTCHURCH: India have suffered a setback ahead of the second T20I against New Zealand as wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of Saturday’s encounter due to a groin injury.
The left-handed batter sustained the injury during the opening match of the five-match series at Hagley Oval on Thursday, forcing India to make adjustments to their batting lineup.
Kishan, who usually bats at number three, was pushed down to number five in the first T20I, with Tilak Varma promoted up the order.
However, the wicketkeeper-batter struggled to make an impact and was dismissed for just one run off three deliveries after being caught on the leg-side boundary off Mitchell Santner.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak subsequently revealed that Kishan’s injury was behind the unexpected change in the batting order.
“Ishan Kishan has a niggle in his groin,” Kotak said during the post-match press conference on Thursday.
“I know there was speculation [about the change in the batting order], but it wasn’t a change as such. It was because of the groin strain [to Kishan]. I think he is unlikely for one game.”
Meanwhile, young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Kishan in India’s playing XI for the second T20I.
Sooryavanshi has remained on the sidelines for India’s last four T20Is after featuring in the semi-final and final of the team’s successful Asian Games campaign.
Kotak confirmed that the youngster would be considered for selection if Kishan fails to recover in time, although the final decision will depend on the medical team’s assessment.
“If Ishan can’t play – unless he recovers completely, the medical team will tell [us] – then obviously Vaibhav comes into the calculations as a batter,” he explained. “[He is] definitely one of the strongest persons who can play.”
Despite Kishan’s injury, India made a winning start to the series with a thrilling four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the opening T20I.
Chasing a challenging target of 226 runs, the visitors reached the target with two deliveries remaining, courtesy of impressive contributions from Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer and Naman Dhir.
Samson led the charge with an explosive 67 off just 33 balls, while Iyer contributed 42 off 28 deliveries to keep India in contention.
Dhir then played a decisive unbeaten cameo of 42 off only 15 balls to guide India over the finish line and secure a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
The second T20I will also take place at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on Saturday before the teams travel to Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton for the remaining three matches.
The third T20I is scheduled for October 27 in Wellington, followed by the fourth in Auckland on October 30 and the series finale in Hamilton on November 1.