Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the second T20I after suffering a low-grade right adductor strain during the series opener.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's inclusion in the starting XI would require India to consider how best to balance the batting order.

India will be forced to make a change to their playing XI for the second T20I against New Zealand after wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been ruled out due to groin injury. The development has opened the door for teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who could finally get an opportunity in the five-match series.

The second T20I is scheduled to take place at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 24. India lead the series 1-0 after producing a thrilling four-wicket victory in the opening match, chasing down New Zealand’s target of 226 with two deliveries to spare.

Sooryavanshi is the strongest candidate to replace Kishan, according to India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak.

Why will Ishan Kishan miss the 2nd T20I against New Zealand?

Kishan has been ruled out of the second T20I after suffering a low-grade right adductor strain during the series opener. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the injury and said its medical team was monitoring his progress.

The injury also affected India’s batting order in the first match. Kishan was initially expected to bat higher up the order, but Tilak Varma was promoted to No. 3 instead. Kishan eventually came in at No. 5 and scored one run off three deliveries before being dismissed.

Kishan’s absence is an unfortunate setback for the batter, who had been part of India’s plans across formats. His return in the playing XI will depend on his recovery and the medical team’s assessment.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi set to open with Abhishek Sharma

Sooryavanshi will be the biggest beneficiary of Kishan’s injury. The 15-year-old has attracted attention with his fearless batting and ability to score quickly, but competition for places at the top of India’s order has limited his opportunities.

India’s opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson delivered an explosive start in Christchurch, adding 93 runs in just 5.5 overs. Samson scored 67 off 33 balls, while Abhishek contributed 29 from 12 deliveries.

However, Sooryavanshi’s inclusion in the starting XI would require India to consider how best to balance the batting order. The teenager has already represented India on the England tour and at the 2026 Asian Games. He has shown that he can handle pressure on the international stage.

“Vaibhav has a certain way of practising,” Kotak highlighted. “I wouldn’t say that he was struggling, but there are certain things he likes, there is a certain way he wants to attack. Obviously, the practice wicket, its bounce, and the way it is in the match, is very different. But, my conversation with him was about the way the ball moves from certain areas, what shots he can play for that.

“The way he approaches the game, I wouldn’t change that, unless such a situation comes up where it becomes a must. Vaibhav’s ability is so much that he doesn’t struggle as often. He just talks, decides and plays his shots. There are players who play shots on merit. And there are those who try to create shots, wherever the ball is. For me, Vaibhav is that kind of a player who dominates and plays shots as per his wish.”

India’s playing XI for the second T20I against New Zealand

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav.