Ishan Kishan ruled out of 3rd T20I against New Zealand as BCCI shares injury update

India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the third T20I against New Zealand as he continues to recover from a low-grade right adductor strain. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Monday that Kishan is recovering well but has yet to regain match fitness ahead of the match in Wellington on October 27.

Kishan sustained the injury during the opening T20I of the five-match series and missed the second match in Christchurch as well. The left-handed batter had featured in India's successful chase of 226 in the series opener, helping the visitors register their highest successful run chase in men's T20I cricket.

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In an official update, the BCCI said its medical team was monitoring Kishan's recovery. Kumar Kushagra, who was added to the squad as cover ahead of the second T20I, will continue to remain with the team for the third match.

Update Ishan Kishan is recovering well from his low grade right adductor strain, which he sustained during the first T20I of the series against New Zealand. He is yet to regain match fitness and is ruled out of the third T20I to be played on October 27, 2026 in Wellington. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring Ishan's progress. Kumar Kushagra will continue to be with the team for the third T20I. #TeamIndia | #NZvIND

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 26, 2026

Ishan Kishan injury update

India bowling coach Morne Morkel indicated that Kishan's absence from the third T20I was largely a precautionary measure, despite positive signs in his recovery.

"Ishan Kishan is unavailable for the 3rd T20I. He's here to train and is doing well. But his unavailability is mostly precautionary," Morkel said during the pre-match press conference.

As the team management is unwilling to rush him back before he is fully fit, Kishan will miss another match in the series. The BCCI will continue to monitor his progress.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets another opportunity

Kishan's absence opened the door for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the second T20I. However, the teenager endured a difficult outing, scoring just four runs off eight deliveries while batting at No. 3.

Sooryavanshi could get another opportunity in the third match as India look to maintain their winning momentum. The youngster had previously opened the innings during India's gold-medal-winning campaign at the Asian Games. 

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin questioned the decision to send Sooryavanshi in at No.3, suggesting that the young batter might be more comfortable opening the innings. 

"That is a miss. For a young cricketer like Vaibhav, 'miss' is too early, I think, to say, but because I have only two options of a hit or a miss, he just found himself a little like a fish out of water," Ashwin said after the second T20I. 

Ashwin also suggested that India could consider moving Sanju Samson to No.3 if the team wants to include all three batters in the playing XI.

India aim to seal T20I series against New Zealand

India head into the third T20I with a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. A victory in Wellington would give the visitors an unassailable lead and secure the series with two matches remaining.

As Kishan is unavailable, Samson is expected to continue in the wicketkeeping role, while Sooryavanshi could have another chance to make an impact in the top order.

India's squad for the third T20I: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav and Kumar Kushagra (wicketkeeper).